
<p>Melbourne Water manages and protects Melbourne&#8217;s major water resources on behalf of the community. The organisation touches all parts of the water cycle that are essential to our way life: from providing clean drinking water, treating sewage, managing flooding, and keeping Melbourne&#8217;s rivers, creeks, and catchments healthy.</p>



<p>As an organisation, Melbourne Water wanted an uplift in customer focus. People at Melbourne Water agreed that there wasn&#8217;t enough focus on customers and what their needs were. In addition, guidance and structure to customer digital governance was lacking and the strategy and tactics were not clear enough. Melbourne Water simply did not put customers first.</p>



<p>Exco Partners were engaged to create a digital customer experience framework that is simple and practical for internal Melbourne Water people to use and that delivers meaningful experiences to customers.</p>



<h2>Our approach</h2>



<p>Most organisations place too much emphasis on mindsets. Long lasting positive change comes almost exclusively through action (behaviours) and habit-building. Tailoring the approach for this effect, the emphasis of the Melbourne Water program was to develop and embed a select number of skills and focus on staff building them into habits where they form part of the ‘way things are done’.</p>



<p>The overall objective was to build foundational customer experience skills (including mastery skills in specialist areas) and capability uplift across the entire Melbourne Water organisation.</p>



<h3>Our framework for customer experience uplift:</h3>



<div class="is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-1 wp-block-group">
<div class="wp-block-exco-services-card services-card iconed"><div class="icon"><img decoding="async" src="https://cms.excopartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/users-yellow.svg"/></div><h4 class="title">Make it everyones job</h4><div class="details">Customer experience is often considered the domain of front-line workers. The sales and customer staff for example. CX uplift requires commitment from everyone.</div></div>



<div class="wp-block-exco-services-card services-card iconed"><div class="icon"><img decoding="async" src="https://cms.excopartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/users-yellow.svg"/></div><h4 class="title">First build the fundamentals</h4><div class="details">Most organisations place too much emphasis on mindsets. Long lasting positive change comes almost exclusively through action (behaviours) and habit-building. </div></div>



<div class="wp-block-exco-services-card services-card iconed"><div class="icon"><img decoding="async" src="https://cms.excopartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/users-yellow.svg"/></div><h4 class="title">Customers focus</h4><div class="details">It is important that everyone uses the customer and the customer&#8217;s objectives at a north star in their decision making.</div></div>
</div>



<p><em>&nbsp;</em></p>



<p>Exco approached this project by understanding the biggest pain points in the organisation to design a course to address those needs.</p>



<p>The first phase, Discover + Assess focused on understanding Melbourne Water&#8217;s current state, future state and how to get there. This was done by interviewing Melbourne Water employees. The interviewees were very engaged, providing invaluable insights and resources. The co-design approach meant Exco could create meaningful and targeted training modules.</p>



<p>The second phase, Synthesize + Create involved converting discovery (interviews and existing Reputation &amp; Customer Satisfaction data) into desired module content. The modules covered the learning approach, tools, habits and outcomes. These learning modules blended media, individual, group and facilitator-led approaches and incorporated activities that will build CX capability, but also be able to function as stand-alone areas of learning for participants. &nbsp;</p>



<p>Exco worked with people in Melbourne Water to deliver these materials and incorporated assignments for participants to complete between modules to keep focus. It was also agreed that leaders would give people time during their day to practice what they learnt in the modules.</p>



<p>The final phase, Test + Roll out focused on rolling out the modules to the &#8216;Early Adopters&#8217;, a group of employees at Melbourne Water that were deemed subject matter experts within the organisation. This allowed the group a chance to review the content and to further strengthen out the learning modules with participants. Exco gave a range of tools that they can use with customers and taught them how to use it and set an internal culture where they can practice this e.g. a Teams group was created so individuals can share questions.</p>



<h2>The result</h2>



<p>Exco developed and delivered seven customised customer experience capability modules to train and coach staff across the organisation from frontline and team leaders to management.</p>



<p>Foundational courses focused on the basics:</p>



<ul>
<li>Who are the customers, and why are they<br>important</li>



<li>Delivering exceptional services</li>



<li>Open communication and engagement</li>



<li>Relationship management</li>
</ul>



<p>Mastery courses focused on:</p>



<ul>
<li>Developing sustainable strategic partnerships</li>



<li>Community Engagement</li>



<li>Turning insights into action</li>
</ul>



<p>Courseware was also enhanced with digital vlogs covering key content and train-the-trainer services were provided.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.excopartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/mw-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5403" width="1400" height="855"/></figure></div>


<p>Exco partners surveyed the participants after delivering the training modules. Results showed that the program was valuable:</p>



<ul>
<li>100% of respondents said they learnt something new;</li>



<li>89% of respondents rated the quality of the training 4/5 out of 5;</li>



<li>95% of respondents rated the quality of the instruction 4/5 out of 5.</li>
</ul>



<h2>Conclusion</h2>



<p>Exco successfully researched, designed and implemented training modules at Melbourne Water to manage customer-facing content and services. Melbourne Water can broadcast the learning throughout the organisation to ensure lifting customer awareness and focus. Selected Early Adopters will assist in strengthening the learning content and approach to roll-out the training modules and continue the CX capability building.</p>


Customer Experience Uplift Program


<p>We have been closely watching the amazing trajectory of AI tools this year. Our recent posts about <a href="https://cms.excopartners.com/2022/12/21/interview-with-a-robot" data-type="post" data-id="4153">Chat GPT</a> and <a href="https://cms.excopartners.com/2023/01/06/is-this-the-end-for-ux-designers" data-type="post" data-id="4227">Midjourney</a> have explored how these tools are becoming more accessible and obvious in their use in our day-to-day work lives.</p>



<p>In what appears to be another amazing leap forward, Microsoft has just announced their new product, Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot. </p>



<p>But what is Microsoft Co-Pilot? Why should I care, and more importantly, should I be scared for my job?</p>



<p>Microsoft Co-Pilot is a new set of Artificial Intelligence (AI) based tools and services that Microsoft are building into their Microsoft 365 apps. In Microsoft&#8217;s works, Co-Pilot combines the power of large language models (LLMs) with your own data in the Microsoft Graph and the Microsoft 365 apps&nbsp;to turn your words into the most powerful productivity tool on the planet. Sounds impressive.</p>



<p></p>



<p><strong>Using Copilot in everyday tools</strong></p>



<p>The main way you can interact with Copilot is through the Microsoft 365 apps you use every day. Copilot is embedded into apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and more. You can give it natural language prompts, and Copilot will help generate the code, text, analytics and more to reduce the manual effort in your information work. Here are some further examples of how Copilot can benefit you:</p>



<ol type="1">
<li><strong>Copilot in Outlook</strong> – spend less time combing through your Outlook emails.<ol><li>Summarise long emails and email threads with multiple people, understanding not only what has been said, but the different viewpoints of each person, and identify any open questions that have not been answered.</li></ol><ol><li>Turn quick notes you have taken into professional messages.</li></ol>
<ol>
<li>Catch up on emails while you have been away and flag any important items.</li>
</ol>
</li>



<li><strong>Copilot in PowerPoint</strong> – spend less time with manual formatting and layouts.<ol><li>Turn existing written documents into PowerPoint presentations, complete with speaker notes and sources.</li></ol>
<ol>
<li>Condense lengthy presentations with just a single click and use natural language commands to adjust layouts and formatting, and add perfectly timed animations.</li>
</ol>
</li>



<li><strong>Copilot in Excel</strong> – spend time less time working out the right formulas to write.<ol><li>Generate reports by asking questions in natural language about your data to help analyse and explore your data.</li></ol><ol><li>Create visualisations based on the outcomes you describe.</li></ol>
<ol>
<li>Model what-if scenarios based on the questions you ask.</li>
</ol>
</li>



<li><strong>Copilot in Word</strong> – be more productive with assistance in editing<ol><li>Assist in researching and summarizing it into draft documents, including sources</li></ol><ol><li>Checking, changing, and aligning the tone of your documents, e.g. professional, casual, thankful, etc.</li></ol>
<ol>
<li>Making the text more concise or detailed, depending on the intended audience.</li>
</ol>
</li>



<li><strong>Copilot in Teams</strong> – be more efficient in collaborating<ol><li>Summarise meeting discussion into notes and highlight</li></ol> outcomes and actions requiredAssisting with analysing the advantages and disadvantages of the discussion topic in real-time
<ol>
<li>Scheduling initial and follow-up meetings more efficiently based on what Copilot hears in meetings.</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>



<p></p>



<p><strong>Introducing Business Chat</strong></p>



<p>The second approach to using Microsoft Copilot is an entirely new experience. Business Chat works alongside you, with access to all your apps and data, some of which are described above. The aim is to spend less time focused on individual tools and apps and more time focusing on the work to be done. Business Chat will bring together data from across all documents, emails, presentations, calendars, notes, and contacts, which you can access, to help summarise chat, write emails, find key dates, create a plan, and many other activities.</p>



<p></p>



<p><strong>How does it work?</strong></p>



<p>Microsoft 365 Copilot obtains access through its use of Microsoft Graph, the access engine you currently use today, behind the scenes. It is based on large language models to continue learning and improving the more you use it. It is still important to note that, like any other AI tool, it depends on human interaction and feedback to improve continuously. We would encourage leveraging Copilot to reduce the labour-intensive tasks in your daily workload, but it does not replace the need for human decision-making and, even more importantly, giving feedback to ensure the results improve over time. We are excited about the future of work!</p>



<p></p>



<p class="rando"><strong>What does it mean for you?</strong></p>



<p>The use of Copilot could mean saving hours of collating, writing, sourcing, and editing documents, presentations, emails, and other Microsoft apps. It can also reduce time spent on repetitive tasks, all while being instructed by you, the user. This frees up your time to be productive and creative and, ultimately, focus on providing value while having fun at work.</p>



<p>You can read more of the initial blog post here: <a href="https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2023/03/16/introducing-microsoft-365-copilot-your-copilot-for-work/">https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2023/03/16/introducing-microsoft-365-copilot-your-copilot-for-work/</a></p>


robot-pilot-4-exco

Will Microsoft Copilot change the way we work?


<p>In today&#8217;s competitive market, creating exceptional customer experiences has become a key differentiator for businesses. However, designing great experiences is not just about making things look pretty, but about understanding customers&#8217; needs, preferences, and pain points, and designing products, services, and interactions that meet or exceed their expectations. This is where customer experience design and customer obsession come into play. Customer experience design is the process of creating positive interactions between customers and a business, while customer obsession is a mindset that puts the customer at the center of everything a business does. In this white paper, we will explore why customer obsession is crucial to designing exceptional customer experiences, how to create a customer-obsessed culture, and examples of customer-obsessed companies.</p>



<p></p>



<h2>Introduction</h2>



<p>In today&#8217;s age of instant gratification and endless choices, customers are no longer just buying products or services, they are buying experiences and emotions. A great customer experience can lead to customer loyalty, repeat business, positive reviews, and word-of-mouth referrals. On the other hand, a poor customer experience can lead to customer churn, negative reviews, and reputational damage. Therefore, designing exceptional customer experiences has become a strategic imperative for businesses that want to survive and thrive in the long run. However, designing exceptional customer experiences is not easy, as it requires a deep understanding of customers&#8217; needs, preferences, and pain points, as well as a culture of empathy, experimentation, and continuous improvement. This is where customer experience design and customer obsession come into play.</p>



<p>What is customer experience design? Customer experience design is the process of creating positive interactions between customers and a business. It involves understanding customer needs, preferences, and pain points, and designing products, services, and interactions that meet or exceed their expectations. Customer experience design is not just about making things look pretty, but about making things work seamlessly and delightfully. It requires a multidisciplinary approach that includes user research, interaction design, visual design, content strategy, and technology. Customer experience design is not a one-time activity but a continuous process that involves iterating and improving based on customer feedback and business objectives.</p>



<p></p>



<h2>Why is customer experience design important? </h2>



<p>Customer experience has become a key differentiator in today&#8217;s competitive market. Customers are no longer just buying products or services, they are buying experiences and emotions. A great customer experience can lead to customer loyalty, repeat business, positive reviews, and word-of-mouth referrals. On the other hand, a poor customer experience can lead to customer churn, negative reviews, and reputational damage. Therefore, designing exceptional customer experiences has become a strategic imperative for businesses that want to survive and thrive in the long run. A great customer experience can provide several benefits, such as:</p>



<ul><li>Increased customer satisfaction and loyalty</li><li>Higher customer lifetime value</li><li>More positive reviews and referrals</li><li>Improved brand reputation and differentiation</li><li>Higher revenue and profitability</li></ul>



<h2>What is customer obsession? </h2>



<p>Customer obsession is a mindset that puts the customer at the center of everything a business does. It means being deeply curious about customers&#8217; needs, behaviors, and emotions, and using that knowledge to create better products, services, and experiences. Customer obsession requires a culture of empathy, experimentation, and continuous improvement. Customer obsession is not just about listening to customers but also about understanding them deeply and empathizing with their perspectives. Customer obsession is not a one-time activity but a continuous process that involves iterating and improving based on customer feedback and business objectives.</p>



<p></p>



<h2>Why is customer obsession important? </h2>



<p>Customer obsession is the foundation of customer experience design. It ensures that businesses are solving real customer problems and not just chasing the latest trends or fads. It creates a virtuous cycle where businesses listen to customers, create better products and services, and build long-term relationships based on trust and loyalty. Customer obsession provides several benefits, such as:</p>



<ul><li>Greater customer loyalty and advocacy</li><li>Increased customer satisfaction and retention</li><li>Improved customer acquisition and conversion rates</li><li>Enhanced employee engagement and satisfaction</li><li>Higher revenue and profitability</li></ul>



<p></p>



<h2>How to create a customer-obsessed culture? </h2>



<p>Creating a customer-obsessed culture requires a top-down approach that involves leadership, employees, and customers. Here are some tips on how to create a customer-obsessed culture:</p>



<ol><li>Start with why: Clearly communicate why customer obsession is important and how it aligns with the company&#8217;s mission and values.</li><li>Lead by example: Demonstrate customer obsession at all levels of the organization, from the CEO to the front-line employees.</li><li>Empower employees: Give employees the authority and resources to solve customer problems and make decisions that benefit the customer.</li><li>Listen to customers: Collect customer feedback through multiple channels, such as surveys, interviews, social media, and customer support interactions.</li><li>Act on feedback: Use customer feedback to identify areas for improvement and make changes that benefit the customer.</li><li>Celebrate success: Recognize and reward employees who demonstrate customer obsession and achieve customer-centric goals.</li><li>Continuously improve: Embed customer obsession in the company&#8217;s DNA and make it an ongoing priority for the business.</li></ol>



<p></p>



<h2>Examples of customer-obsessed companies</h2>



<p>There are several companies that are known for their customer obsession and have achieved great success as a result. Here are some examples:</p>



<ol><li>Amazon: Amazon is famous for its customer-centric culture, which is embodied in its leadership principles. The company is obsessed with providing the best customer experience possible and uses customer data to inform its decisions.</li><li>Atlassian: Atlassian is an Australian software company that provides collaboration tools for teams. The company is known for its customer-centric culture and has won several awards for its customer service.</li><li>Apple: Apple is known for its innovative products, but also for its customer-centric approach. The company designs its products with the customer in mind and provides exceptional customer support.</li><li>Canva: Canva is an Australian graphic design platform that allows users to create a wide range of designs. The company has a strong focus on the customer experience and has received high praise for its customer support.</li><li>RACV: The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) is a membership-based organization that provides a range of products and services, including insurance, roadside assistance, and travel. The company is known for its customer-centric approach and has won several awards for its customer service.</li><li>Telstra: Telstra is Australia&#8217;s largest telecommunications company, providing a wide range of products and services to consumers and businesses. The company has a strong focus on the customer experience and has made significant investments in its customer service operations.</li><li>Westpac: Westpac is one of Australia&#8217;s largest banks and is known for its customer-centric approach. The company has a range of initiatives aimed at improving the customer experience, including customer feedback programs and customer service training for employees.</li></ol>



<p></p>



<h2>Conclusion</h2>



<p>Creating exceptional customer experiences is a strategic imperative for businesses that want to survive and thrive in the long run. Customer experience design and customer obsession are two key components of this effort. Customer experience design involves understanding customers&#8217; needs, preferences, and pain points, and designing products, services, and interactions that meet or exceed their expectations. Customer obsession involves putting the customer at the center of everything a business does and creating a culture of empathy, experimentation, and continuous improvement. By embracing customer obsession and creating exceptional customer experiences, businesses can achieve greater customer loyalty, increased revenue and profitability, and a stronger brand reputation.</p>


customer-service

The Power of Customer Obsession in Designing Exceptional Customer Experiences


<p>Employee experience has become a crucial element of success in today&#8217;s business landscape. It refers to employees&#8217; feelings, attitudes, and perceptions about their work and workplace. A positive employee experience can have a wide range of benefits for businesses. For example, employees with a positive experience are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and productive, leading to increased efficiency and profitability.&nbsp;</p>



<p>On the other hand, a negative employee experience can result in high turnover, low morale, and decreased performance, which can significantly negatively impact a business.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As the world becomes increasingly digital, it is essential, too, for businesses to prioritize the digital experience of their employees. Many businesses are looking at a <strong>digital-first employee experience strategy</strong> to address this need.</p>



<p>A digital-first employee experience strategy is a company-wide approach to creating a seamless and efficient digital experience for employees. It aims to deliver a range of benefits, including increased productivity, improved communication, painless/transparent compliance, collaboration, and higher job satisfaction. By prioritizing the use of digital tools and technology, businesses can create a more flexible and accessible work environment that allows employees to work from anywhere at any time.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A digital-first employee experience strategy can also help to personalize and customize the work experience for each employee, making them feel more connected to their work and their colleagues.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Overall, a digital-first employee experience strategy aims to create a more efficient, effective, and enjoyable work environment for employees through the use of digital tools and technology.</p>



<p>When building a digital-first employee experience strategy, businesses should consider the following factors:</p>



<ol><li>Technology: Choose digital tools and platforms that meet the needs of employees and support the company’s goals.</li><li>Culture: Ensure the company culture aligns with the digital-first strategy and fosters a positive employee experience.</li><li>Communication: Develop effective communication channels and processes to keep employees informed and connected.</li><li>User experience: Focus on designing an intuitive, user-friendly experience for employees that is accessible and effective.</li><li>Personalization: Provide personalized experiences and support to employees that cater to their individual needs and preferences.</li><li>Data and analytics: Use data and analytics to measure the effectiveness of the employee experience strategy and make data-driven decisions.</li><li>Continuous improvement: Regularly assess and iterate on the employee experience strategy to ensure it evolves and improves over time.</li></ol>



<p>To learn more, you can download the whitepaper below which expands on this topic.</p>



<div class="wp-block-exco-hero-content exco-hero-content container-fluid secondary">
<div class="wp-block-exco-casestudy casestudy-container standalone has-screenshot"><div class="casestudy-tile"><div class="body"><div class="category"><label>Whitepaper</label></div><h3 class="title">How to build a digital-first, employee experience strategy</h3>
<p>If you would like to know more about how to build a digital-first employee experience strategy, download our white paper. </p>



<p>This white paper expands on the seven key factors described in this article and describes the steps we take to help our customers to build their employee experience strategy.</p>
<a href="https://excopartners.com/api/share/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJuYW1lIjoiV2hpdGUgUGFwZXIgLSBCdWlsZGluZyBhIERpZ2l0YWwtRmlyc3QgRW1wbG95ZWUgRXhwZXJpZW5jZS5wZGYiLCJpYXQiOjE2NzU5MjUzMDN9.o9t-19LD5yvDATmz7C4QKg3FQHqy9JbQ-upaonAm4AE/download" class="button">Download</a></div><div class="image"><img decoding="async" src="https://cms.excopartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/How-to-build-a-digital-first-employee-experience-strategy.jpg"/></div></div></div>
</div>



<h3></h3>


employees-fun2

Building a digital-first, employee experience strategy


<p>With Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) based tools such as <a href="https://openai.com/dall-e-2/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://openai.com/dall-e-2/">Dall-e 2</a> and <a href="https://www.midjourney.com/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.midjourney.com/">Midjourney</a> now able to generate unique artwork and design; does it mean we will soon see the end of the need for UX Designers? Probably not, at least in the short term. What however is clear is that these tools will become an ever increasingly important tool in any designer&#8217;s creative pipeline. Just as tools like Figma and Sketch changed how we go about creating and testing designs, 2023 will be the year when AI tools will become a mandatory tool for UX designers to know how to use.</p>



<p></p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p></p>



<h3>The back story</h3>



<p>Toward the end of 2022, the power of Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence tools appear to have taken a significant leap forward. I have recently explored the power of the <a href="https://openai.com/">OpenAI</a> ChatGPT tool. My recent post demonstrates the amazing power of this tool where I conducted an interview with the AI about the future of AI in the field of data engineering. The results were impressive, to say the least. You can read the post <a href="https://excopartners.com/2022/12/21/interview-with-a-robot" data-type="URL" data-id="https://excopartners.com/2022/12/21/interview-with-a-robot">here</a>.</p>



<p>The feedback and discussion about this post all centred around a common theme with comments like:</p>



<ul><li>The AI is not creative, it is just regurgitating that it has found on the internet,</li><li>It is just a better search engine,</li><li>It can&#8217;t replace human creativity and originality</li></ul>



<p>To explore these themes further, we decided to apply the tools to the more creative field of User Experience Design. After some research, we decided to test out the Midjourney tool to see if we could get it to help with a design challenge.</p>



<p>To quote the Midjourney website, &#8220;Midjourney is an independent research lab exploring new mediums of thought and expanding the imaginative powers of the human species&#8221;. The Midjourney Bot can be used to generate images based on user text prompts.</p>



<p></p>



<h3>Our design challenge</h3>



<p>We have a design challenge that we like to use during our recruitment process. The brief is as follows:</p>



<p></p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-medium-font-size"><p><strong>The brief:</strong></p><p>Design a mobile application to record the number of steps a user walks each day. The app will allow users to compete in a step challenge, the winner being the user who makes the most steps in a month. Users will be able to compete in teams and will be able to compare their steps with others and other teams. Users will enter the steps each day that they record on their phone or a pedometer.</p></blockquote>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="alignright size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.excopartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/inspiration.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-4229" width="400" height="300"/><figcaption>All UX designers use other designs for inspiration so we used this for the Midjourney Bot</figcaption></figure></div>


<p></p>



<p>We gave the brief to the Midjourney bot with a couple of extra prompts like &#8220;beautiful&#8221;, &#8220;UX/UI&#8221;, and &#8220;graphical&#8221;. We also gave it a UI mock-up as inspiration; just like we would do as a UX designer.</p>



<p>Midjourney is a powerful tool for UX designers that can help speed up the design process and improve the quality of their work. With its easy-to-use prototyping and testing features, it&#8217;s a valuable addition to any UX designer&#8217;s toolkit.</p>



<p>The Midjourney bot quickly responded with four variations of a mobile application addressing our brief.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.excopartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/midjourney-v1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4237"/><figcaption>The first version of the interface design from the Midjourney Bot</figcaption></figure>



<p></p>



<p>The results are impressive. Four variations that, on the surface, all show a nice-looking design. The designs a not showing real text but the intent and layout of the design are clear.</p>



<p>The bot allows us to choose to create more variations on any of the four examples or allows us to choose on variations to expand upon and create more variations. I quite liked the design of variation 3 so chose to upscale that one as follows.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.excopartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/midjourney-v1.3-variations.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4241"/><figcaption>More variations of option 3</figcaption></figure>



<p></p>



<p>While this variation is nice, it doesn&#8217;t quite hit the brief by showing a graph of the results.</p>



<p>Using this as inspiration, I again asked the Midjoruney bot to imagine a new version with a focus on graphing the data. The results were better which several versions that showed graphs of the steps.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.excopartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/midjourney-v2-variations-graphs.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4243"/><figcaption>Adding a focus on graphing the data.</figcaption></figure>



<p></p>



<p>I worked on a few more iterations asking the Bot to upscale and vary the designs a little further. The Bot produced the following design I quite liked. I had assumed the slop under the character would be a representation of their steps which is a clever way to visually show the data.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.excopartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/midjourney-v6.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4245"/><figcaption>After a few more iterations, the Bot produced this design</figcaption></figure>



<p></p>



<p>As one more iteration, I asked the Bot to create a new set of variations based on the above design. This time, however, I asked it to crank up the stylization and quality. I really liked variation three which again represents a good graphical representation of the data.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1025" height="1024" src="https://cms.excopartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/midjourney-v7.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4247"/><figcaption>Asking the Bot to crank up the stylization and quality</figcaption></figure>



<p></p>



<p>The following is the final version of variation three above which I asked the Bot to upscale the design.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.excopartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/midjourney-v7-upscale.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4249"/><figcaption>The final version of the user interface design</figcaption></figure>



<p></p>



<p>While clearly not a final product, the ability to be able to iterate a set of concepts based on text prompts quickly is really quite incredible. Without opening Figma once, we have been able to take a short brief, create a set of concepts and iterate on the concept that we like the best.</p>



<p>For a UX designer, this is a fabulous new tool to add to their UX toolbox. This whole process took around 30 minutes and in the real world could be done face-to-face with the customer to quickly iterate a design to a concept that can then be refined with more traditional UX tools like Figma.</p>



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<h3>Conclusion</h3>



<p>The results of our Midjourney experiment have been impressive. While still in its (relative!!) infancy, at the rate of change and improvement in these tools will make for an exciting future.</p>



<p>One of the key benefits of using AI-driven tools like Midjourney is the ability to quickly and easily create prototypes. This is especially useful during the early stages of the design process when designers are still exploring and testing different ideas. By being able to create and test prototypes quickly, designers can iterate and refine their designs more efficiently, leading to better results.</p>



<p>In addition to prototyping, Midjourney allows designers, developers and customers to collaborate. This is important because designers often need to work closely with developers, product managers, and other stakeholders to iterate designs. With Midjourney, it&#8217;s easy for designers to share their work and get feedback, which can help improve the final product.</p>



<p>One of the standout features of Midjourney is its ability to create high-fidelity prototypes. This is important because it allows designers to more accurately test and validate their designs, giving them a better sense of how the final product will look and function.</p>



<p>Looking to the future, it&#8217;s clear that UX design is becoming increasingly important as organizations continue to prioritize the user experience. This means that the demand for skilled UX designers is likely to continue to grow rather than be threatened by tools like Midjourney. Tools like Midjourney will play a crucial role in this growth, as they allow designers to create and test design ideas.</p>



<p>As UX design evolves, it will be necessary for designers to stay up-to-date with the latest design tools and practices. This may involve learning new software and techniques and being open to trying new things. User Experience designers should consider focusing on refining the following skills:</p>



<ol type="1"><li>User research: As the field of UX design continues to evolve, it will be important for designers to have a deep understanding of their users and their needs. This will involve conducting user research, such as user interviews, focus groups, and usability testing, to gather insights and inform design decisions.</li><li>Interaction design: Interaction design is a critical part of UX design, and will continue to be so in the future. UX designers should focus on improving their skills in this area, including how to create intuitive and efficient user flows, and how to design for different devices and platforms.</li><li>Prototyping: The ability to quickly create and test prototypes will be an increasingly important skill for UX designers. Tools like Midjourney and others allow designers to easily create and iterate on prototypes, and it will be important for UX designers to be proficient in using these tools in order to stay competitive in the field.</li><li>Adaptability: As technology and design practices continue to evolve, it will be important for UX designers to be able to adapt and learn new skills quickly. This may involve staying up-to-date with new design trends and tools, and being open to learning and trying new things.</li><li>Collaboration: UX design is a collaborative field, and designers will need to work closely with a variety of stakeholders, including developers, product managers, and subject matter experts. It will be important for UX designers to have strong communication and collaboration skills in order to effectively work with these teams.</li></ol>



<p>In conclusion, Midjourney and AI tools like it are evolving at a very rapid pace. These tools will continue to get better, smarter and more effective in the future we will become an essential part of any design pipeline. Right now, Midjourney is a valuable tool for UX designers that can help them create better designs more efficiently. Combined with prototyping and design tools like Figma, it&#8217;s an essential part of the UX designer&#8217;s toolkit. As the field of UX design continues to evolve, it will be necessary for designers to stay up-to-date with the latest tools and practices, and to focus on developing strong skills in user research and interaction design. With the right skills and experience, the future looks bright for UX designers.</p>



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<p>For reference: </p>



<p>The is the prompt given to the Midjourney bot to get the first set of designs for our app:</p>



<pre class="wp-block-code"><code>/imagine A beautiful mobile application to record the number of steps 
a user walks each day. Show a graph of their steps over a month and 
will allow them to compare their steps to other people. 
Include tabs for home, history, compare, settings and notifications. 
UX, UI, UX/UI</code></pre>



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<p>The Hero image on this page was created by Midjourney too with the prompt:</p>



<pre class="wp-block-code"><code>/imagine a cartoon robot user experience designer, artist, 4k</code></pre>



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<h3>Get in touch</h3>



<p>If you would like to learn more about using AI tools like Midjourney in your design pipeline, reach-out and get in contact.</p>



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