Summary
On day two of Design Ops 2023, the host warmly welcomes participants and recaps that yesterday focused on changes in design operations while today's theme is practical design ops. They highlight the seamless integration of sponsor sessions, which complement the main program without overlap, and express deep gratitude to sponsors Fable, Balsamiq, and Laina for their vital support. The talk details how attendees can engage via Slack, emphasizing the correct use of threads to ensure questions reach speakers and curators. Attendees are encouraged to join social mixers led by Lou to connect with peers amidst the often overwhelming nature of design ops work. Practical details, such as using QR codes to access the digital swag bag and the quick availability of recorded sessions and decks, are shared. The host gives special recognition to David Nicholson, the house scribe, applauding his dual contributions both at the conference and as a volunteer search and rescue team member. Lastly, the importance of maintaining a respectful community through adherence to the code of conduct is reinforced to ensure a positive virtual environment.
Key Insights
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Design Ops 2023 follows a three-day thematic structure: Day 1 - design ops is changing, Day 2 - practical design ops, Day 3 - design ops plus curation by Kaari Miller.
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Sponsor sessions are fully optional, do not overlap with main programming, and are high-quality non-sales content hosted on Zoom.
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Slack is the primary engagement platform, with dedicated channels and threaded discussions required for effective speaker Q&A.
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The conference provides frequent breaks and easy access to session recordings and materials, often within hours of live presentations.
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Digital swag bags, accessible via QR codes or URLs, offer attendees valuable offers such as 90 days free Balsamiq Cloud.
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Community mixers moderated by Lou facilitate small group peer connections, addressing the isolation often felt in design ops roles.
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Attendees are urged to join appropriate Slack cohorts and channels to ensure meaningful community interaction throughout the event.
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David Nicholson, a senior UX designer and volunteer search and rescue member, serves as the conference’s house scribe, enabling attendees to stay engaged without note-taking.
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The code of conduct is prominently displayed and enforces kindness and respect to create a safe virtual space for all participants.
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Sponsors play a crucial role in enabling the conference, bringing high-quality content and enriching the design ops community experience.
Notable Quotes
"Design ops is changing was our first theme, and today it’s all about practical design ops."
"Sponsor sessions do not overlap at all with the main programming. It’s fully optional but high quality, not sales pitches."
"If you have questions for speakers, please put them in the thread pinned to the specific talk — otherwise we might miss them."
"The digital swag bag is one of the really cool parts about any conference. Don’t miss out on the awesome offers."
"Working in design ops in 2023 can be overwhelming, so connecting with peers in the community mixer is more important than ever."
"David Nicholson is the reason why you don’t have to write very fast — he’s our outstanding house scribe."
"Even though we are virtual, we are still a community and obligated to treat each other with kindness and respect."
"Our sponsors bring so much color and light into the community; the conference really would not happen without them."
"You don’t need to take notes. Videos and decks will be posted quickly so you can focus and be in the moment."
"If you ever feel uncomfortable or subjected to bullying, please let us know. It’s very important to keep the vibes positive."
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