Customer Journey Designing

Gagan Khanna | Founder, Designer, Mentor | Designsteps Creative Academy LLP, Dehradun

What is Customer Journey Designing?

Customer Journey Designing is a great Career option. One should first understand What a Career in Customer Journey Designing entails before investing time and effort to figure out How to start a Career in Customer Journey Designing. The internet is a great source of information on Customer Journey Designing, but it is second best to learning about the same from a real professional.

Founder, Designer, Mentor Gagan Khanna has worked in Customer Journey Designing for 0 years. Here is how Founder, Designer, Mentor Gagan Khanna detailed Customer Journey Designing:

Customer journey is the complete sum of expressions that a customer goes through when interacting with a business. It's used for understanding and addressing customer needs and pain points.

How Founder, Designer, Mentor Gagan Khanna got into Customer Journey Designing?

Though my professional journey started as product designer, my horizons expanded much with exposure to various business formats. I was keen to learn all related aspects of a business which bring the product to its end user. Occasionally, I took up such projects in the industry which would expose me to those connected aspects. With new knowledge and core expertise in universal design skills, my work expanded gradually into complete Customer Journey.

Founder, Designer, Mentor Gagan Khanna's Talk on Customer Journey Designing

The Journey of a Customer Journey Designer: Gagan Khanna's Exploration of Creative Pathways In the bustling world of design, Gagan Khanna stands out as a beacon for aspiring designers looking to carve their niche in customer journey design. With a remarkable journey from a science-focused student to an acclaimed design expert, Gagan's story is an inspiring tale of transformation. This article delves into his experiences, educational background, essential skills, the positive aspects and challenges of his profession, and what a typical day looks like in his shoes. Through Gagan's insights, we hope to provide guidance and motivation for those contemplating a career in design. What Is Customer Journey Designing? Customer journey designing revolves around understanding and enhancing a customer's experience with a brand or service throughout their entire interaction. It involves mapping out how a customer engages with a business at various touchpoints, from initial awareness to post-purchase support. Gagan highlights that this field requires a thorough comprehension of consumer needs and behaviors, allowing designers to create meaningful experiences that resonate with customers. By integrating insights and strategies from various disciplines, customer journey designers craft environments that foster lasting relationships between consumers and brands. Education Consumer Research Consumer research is a vital pillar in the education of a customer journey designer. It equips individuals with the knowledge to grasp consumer lifestyles, preferences, and unfulfilled needs. Gagan emphasizes that effective consumer research helps identify aspects that may not be immediately apparent to the customer themselves, thereby informing design decisions that are genuinely responsive to market demands. This foundational understanding is critical for creating relevant and impactful designs that meet customer expectations. Design Capabilities In the context of customer journey design, honing design capabilities is essential. Gagan's education in design has provided him with the skills to transform conceptual insights derived from consumer research into tangible solutions. This task involves developing design concepts, prototyping, and ensuring that these designs resonate not just aesthetically but also functionally with the end user. Gagan’s journey reflects the significance of developing one's design capabilities to adapt to various market challenges. Marketing Marketing knowledge complements the skills of a customer journey designer, enabling them to effectively communicate the value of their designs. Gagan stresses the importance of marketing in introducing products to consumers while ensuring they understand the benefits and unique features being offered. Drawing from his expertise, he notes that successful marketing strategies educate consumers about products and help to establish the brand's position in the marketplace. Customer Service Customer service is often the final frontier in customer journey design. It ensures that once a product is in the hands of the consumer, there’s continued engagement to foster satisfaction and loyalty. Gagan highlights that effective customer service not only resolves issues but also reaffirms the value of the product to the customer, thereby nurturing long-term relationships. A comprehensive understanding of customer service principles is crucial for those wanting to excel in this field. Skills Problem Solving At the core of effective design lies the ever-valuable skill of problem solving. Gagan identifies this as a primary skill for any designer, emphasizing that design solutions are fundamentally about addressing specific issues faced by consumers. A strong problem-solving mindset enables designers to navigate challenges creatively and derive innovative solutions that enhance user experiences. Original Thinking Original thinking is imperative for customer journey designers, as it fuels the creativity needed to introduce innovative ideas and concepts. Gagan reflects on his own experiences where thinking outside the box has allowed him to approach design challenges from fresh perspectives, resulting in unique products that stand out in competitive markets. This skill allows professionals to break free from conventional solutions and push the boundaries of design. Resource Intelligence Being intelligent with resources is crucial in design, where constraints may often dictate project parameters. Gagan emphasizes that creatively utilizing existing resources to craft innovative solutions is not only a test of ingenuity but also a means to achieve commercially viable outcomes. This skill stands as a testament to a designer’s ability to deliver results efficiently. Imagination Imagination enables designers to envision solutions even before they materialize. Gagan recounts how imaginative thinking is indispensable in his work, allowing him to conceptualize products that fulfill customer needs not yet articulated. This skill is fundamental to the iterative design process, where abstract ideas gradually take shape. Visual Expression Effective visual expression is critical for communicating design concepts to stakeholders. Gagan notes that being able to visually articulate ideas through sketches or models helps bridge the gap between abstract ideas and tangible products. This skill facilitates collaboration and ensures that the designer's vision can be shared and understood clearly. Agility Agility, or the ability to adapt and iterate based on feedback, is a vital attribute for customer journey designers. Gagan highlights the dynamic nature of consumer preferences, which can change rapidly. A successful designer must be open to revising their work in response to user feedback and emerging trends, ensuring the design remains relevant and effective. Positives Ever New Fields One of the most captivating aspects of being a customer journey designer is the constant novelty it offers. Gagan expresses how every day presents new challenges and opportunities, making the work stimulating and dynamic. This continual evolution keeps professionals engaged and passionate about their field. Gratifying The gratification that comes from seeing one’s ideas transform into real-world products is immensely rewarding. Gagan finds fulfillment in knowing that his designs positively influence consumers’ lives, providing a sense of accomplishment that is uniquely tied to the creative process of design. Being Unique Design allows for the celebration of individuality, as it paves the way for designers to showcase their unique perspectives. Gagan notes that being a part of a field that values and encourages originality is highly motivating, providing the freedom to create without inhibitions. Being Specialized Working in design cultivates a sense of specialization that can create a strong professional identity. Gagan highlights the recognition that skilled designers receive within their organizations, noting that their specialized knowledge can lead to thriving careers and respected positions in the industry. Wide Opportunities With the universal applicability of design skills, numerous career trajectories are available for professionals in the field. Gagan’s own varied experiences—from product design to customer journey strategizing—illustrate the vast horizons that open up for those who navigate through different dimensions of design. Flexible Work Formats Design offers a range of working formats, from full-time positions to freelancing opportunities. This flexibility allows designers to shape their careers according to their personal preferences and professional goals. Gagan has thrived by employing various work arrangements throughout his career, showcasing how dynamic the profession can be. Challenges Sharing Your Vision Translating design concepts to stakeholders who may lack an understanding of design principles can be a significant challenge. Gagan acknowledges that this often leads to difficulties in obtaining buy-in from other professionals, requiring designers to enrich their communication skills to convey their visions effectively. Structured Environment The challenge of maintaining creative freedom within structured corporate environments is one that many designers face. Gagan points out that balancing creativity with business constraints is essential, requiring a delicate navigation of organizational norms while still achieving innovative outcomes. Attachment to your Creation Designers may become attached to their creations, which can hinder their ability to accept constructive criticism. Gagan advocates for the importance of flexibility and being receptive to feedback, as this willingness to adapt is crucial for the continued growth and success of their work. A Day Of Customer Journey Designing A typical day for Gagan as a customer journey designer begins with updating himself on customer insights and market trends. He examines sales data, network with design and marketing teams, and spends time observing customers in action to gather feedback. This blend of analytical and observational activities shapes his understanding and informs his design decisions for that day. As he consolidates his learnings and plans for the next day, Gagan finds joy and satisfaction in actively engaging with both the creative and analytical aspects of customer journey design. The journey of a customer journey designer is as enriching as it is complex, underscored by the necessity to blend creativity with strategic thinking. Gagan's insights not only illuminate the various paths one can take within this field but also serve as inspiration for aspiring designers to navigate their unique journeys. Ultimately, the impact of design extends far beyond aesthetics; it shapes consumer experiences and fosters connections that can last a lifetime.

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How to get into

Customer Journey Designing?

If you are want to get into Customer Journey Designing, start by investing in a Career Plan.

The 14 hour process, guided by a LifePage Career Advisor, will help you introspect and check whether your interest in Customer Journey Designing is merely an infatuation or is it truly something you wish to do for the rest of your life.

Next, your Career Advisor will help you document how you can get into Customer Journey Designing, what education and skills you need to succeed in Customer Journey Designing, and what positives and challenges you will face in Customer Journey Designing.

Finally, you will get a Career Plan stating which Courses, Certifications, Trainings and other Items you need to do in the next 7 years to become world’s best in Customer Journey Designing.

LifePage Career Plan

14 hour personalized guidance program

Your LifePage Career Advisor facilitates your guided introspection so that you systematically explore various Career options to arrive at a well thought out Career choice.

Next: your Advisor helps you figure out how you will get into your chosen Career and how will you develop the skills needed for success in your Chosen Career.

LifePage Plan will not stop at saying "to become an Architect study Architecture". It will guide you on which Certifications, Trainings and Other items you need to do along with your Architecture education to become the world's best Architect.

Links for this Talk

Founder, Designer, Mentor Gagan Khanna's LifePage:

[LifePage]
https://www.lifepage.in/page/gagankhanna

LifePage Career Talk on Customer Journey Designing

[Career]
https://www.lifepage.in/careers/customer-journey-designing

[Full Talk]
https://lifepage.app.link/20180322-0004

[Trailer]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8eUttJECwk

(Customer Journey Designing, Gagan Khanna, Designsteps Creative Academy, Designer, Mentor, Customer Service, Customer Experience, Customer Journey Mapping, Mentor, Academy, )

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