---
name: uxd-playbook
description: "What a UX Designer reaches for in RBA Skills to scope design work, run and synthesize research, present concepts, and translate intent into buildable stories."
disciplines:
  - design
tags:
  - playbook
  - role-guide
  - uxd
author:
  name: Kassie Gibbons
  url: https://rba.com
---

# UX Designer Playbook

UXDs own the human experience — research, synthesize, and design solutions that work for real people. Your deliverables are what most clients actually see and react to, which makes your work both the most visible and the most misunderstood on any engagement. This is your RBA Skills toolkit.

## Estimating — scope the design work

| Reach for | Why |
|---|---|
| **estimate-sow-builder** → `build-estimate` | UXD hours and wireframe breakdowns. |

## Envision — research and concepts

| Reach for | Why |
|---|---|
| **envision-toolkit** → `stakeholder-interview-guide` | Discovery interviews. |
| **discovery-synthesizer** (`discovery-interview-synthesis`, `persona-draft`, `stakeholder-map`) | Synthesize research into insights and personas. |
| **envision-toolkit** → `envision-findings-deck` | Present research and concepts (lead with insights). |

## Create — design into buildable work

| Reach for | Why |
|---|---|
| `user-story-writer` skill | Translate UX intent into stories the team can build. |
| **design-system-manager** (`design-token-audit`, `component-doc-writer`, `design-system-usage-guidelines`) | Keep components and tokens consistent and documented. |
| `rba-design-system` resource | RBA tokens, palette, and accessible color guidance. |
| **case-study-writer** → `case-study-draft` | Document your work for marketing while it's fresh. |

## UXD Tips

- **Your estimate benchmark:** hi-fi wireframes for complex portal screens = 7–9 hrs/screen; standard pages = 5–8 hrs. Build in revision rounds explicitly.
- **The Envision deck is your research presentation, not a design show.** Lead with insights, not solutions.
- **Write your own case study content.** You know the engagement better than marketing does — give them the raw material.