Insights and Highlights from One North’s Mini Assembly Events

These events provided an opportunity for our practitioners, industry leaders from BMO Harris Bank, Molson Coors, Capital One, GoHappy, TransUnion, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, an Accessibility and UX Consultant, and attendees to connect, collaborate, and inspire each other. Our discussions centered around innovating within constraints, designing for inclusivity and accessibility, and the power of experience design and strategy.

Here’s a look back at the insights and ideas that defined these Assemblies.

Embracing Constraints to Unlock Innovation

One of the central themes of our discussions was the idea of doing more with less. As organizations face shrinking budgets and increasing expectations, teams are tasked with finding creative ways to deliver high-quality results.

Rather than viewing constraints as roadblocks, our practitioners encouraged attendees to embrace them as catalysts for innovation. Too many constraints can lead to stagnation, while too few can cause a lack of focus and direction.

The key to unlocking innovation lies in “bucketing” constraints:

• Constrain inputs (resources) and outputs (goals) while leaving the process open for exploration.
• Alternatively, loosen inputs and outputs but implement a strict, intentional process for groundbreaking innovation.

For example, some of the most innovative breakthroughs, like the original iPod, were born from striking the right balance. Thoughtful constraint-setting can focus teams, inspire creativity, and deliver remarkable results.

The Power of Experience Strategy and Design

In Chicago, we dove into the growing importance of experience strategy and design in shaping meaningful, long-lasting relationships with both customers and employees. Our panelists dove into several key themes that are shaping the future:

The Shift from CX to EX

One of the most exciting insights from the discussions was the growing recognition that employee experience (EX) is just as critical as customer experience (CX). By empowering employees through the right tools, platforms, and strategies, organizations can create better customer experiences, driving success across the board.

The Challenges of Maturing Your UX Organization

The panelists also explored the challenges many organizations face as they expand their UX practices. From balancing constrained budgets with rising demands to scaling teams sustainably, they shared strategies for advocating for resources, demonstrating the value of UX to stakeholders, and building processes that support long-term growth.

Collaboration Across Your Organization

Another key insight was the importance of cross-functional collaboration. Breaking down silos between teams helps create alignment, drive efficiency, and foster innovation. Collaboration not only supports better design outcomes, but it also ensures that teams work together toward a common goal. These insights reinforced how critical experience strategy and design are to driving impactful change within organizations, enabling them to meet the needs of their teams and audiences.

Designing for Everyone: Accessibility and Inclusivity

Inclusivity and accessibility also emerged as critical priorities for future experience design. Whether through trauma-informed design principles or innovations that support diverse abilities and backgrounds, the conversations underscored that designing for everyone isn’t just good practice—it’s essential.

Panelists shared actionable insights, including:

• Building products that empower users from all walks of life.
• Prioritizing accessibility as a core principle rather than an afterthought.
• Creating experiences that resonate across audiences.

Accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s about making sure every user feels seen, heard, and valued.

AI as a Tool for Efficiency and Empowerment

Another takeaway was the growing role of AI in design and UX workflows. New tools are transforming how teams work by automating repetitive tasks, streamlining processes, and freeing up time for more strategic efforts.

The conversation didn’t stop at efficiency. We also discussed the ethical considerations surrounding AI. Panelists stressed the importance of ensuring that AI is used to empower teams rather than replace them and how it can help drive efficiency.

When used thoughtfully, AI can help teams achieve more while focusing on the creativity and collaboration that drive outcomes.

Looking Ahead

As we kick off 2025, one thing is clear: the future of UX, Brand, Experience, and Design is filled with opportunities to innovate, simplify, and connect. Whether it’s leveraging constraints or designing for inclusivity, these conversations have set the stage for what’s next.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in Philadelphia, Chicago, and Richmond. Your insights, questions, and ideas have made these events inspiring.

We’re excited to continue the conversation and look forward to bringing our Assemblies to new cities in 2025. Keep an eye out—we just might be coming to a city near you soon!

Photo Credit: Josep Martins | Unsplash