The Ubuntu Design Framework re-imagines how we design products, by mirroring how we build communities.The Ubuntu Design Framework (UDF) takes a humanist approach to product design, emphasizing that a fulfilled individual enhances the product development process. "You are what you design," and this idea extends to every level within an organization, from the individual to the team, department, and ultimately the company.
The UDF's four pillars—individual, family, community, and interconnectedness—guide progression through these levels, each
with its own traditions and needs. This is crucial because customers and businesses are interdependent: customers thrive when business needs are met, and businesses succeed when they meet customer needs.
Product design requires balancing business outcomes with user needs, involving stakeholders, customers, and research to find mutually beneficial solutions.
The framework has two verticals, The Philosophical and The Practical.
THE PHILOSOPHY
The framework acknowledges the coagency between relationships, community building, and product design. This is realized by leveraging concepts from the Afrikan value system Ubuntu. You can't be an effective team member without prioritizing mental health and personal growth (individual), a strong team without supporting each other and hiring well (family), or an effective department without fostering relationships and aligning with the company's vision (community).
THE PRACTICAL
Design tasks require a process, but teams often skip documentation due to changing demands. One day may involve a three-month payments journey, and the next, a two-day profile update. Each designer handles these challenges differently, influenced by their experience and relationships. The Associative Design process brings consistency by providing a structured approach for designers, distilling the intuitive methods of senior designers into a three-part framework: Node complexity, Preparation time, and Association.
