Senior consultant in communication, design and digital strategy
Per Axbom has been bringing organisations new digital perspectives and approaches since 1996. Partner with him to foster more healthy and caring organisations in the tech space.
You can email me directly if you wish to discuss a potential assignment, or read on to understand the many ways I can help you. I've been advising and consulting for organizations of all shapes and sizes for more than two decades.
What I do differently
Owners and producers of digital services struggle to make them easy-to-use for a wide variety of people. Often they experience frustrations, see support costs escalate and suffer critique from the very people they want to connect with and assist.
What I do is help makers and participants understand each other better by incorporating tangible compassion into the solution itself. The purpose is to make space for cooperation and flexibility, and resist conflict and boundaries.
For example: Let's say we allow people to enter phone numbers and dates of birth in a way that works for them, and try to understand their intent without annoying them with stressful error messages. This leads them to feel safe and comfortable, rather than reprimanded, and open to further conversations as needed. They become supporters rather than critics.
The way I enable this is by bringing a broad and deep understanding of ethical, accessible, consent-based and compassionate digital design. I support and mentor website owners and creators in the development of both communicative structure (the words and visualisations) and technical frameworks (the code and material) that convey inclusive and respectful intent.
Note that it's not about following checklists, but about seeing and recognising individual challenges, and providing space for people to be who they are. Even when everything isn't necessarily easy-to-use, compassionate tech can infuse value for everyone involved.
Examples of services
Digital product development
I work with the balance of human, computer and environment in digital design. My expertise is communicating value gains to stakeholders and development teams in such a way that we share a common goal, build the right thing and ensure positive impact.
My research, sketches and prototypes bring critical insights and assist in mapping the way forward. Working together, with frequent status checks, we contribute to lasting change.
“Per Axbom has a rare, valuable combo in being able to talk to 'techies' in tech language and at the same time capturing, understanding, translating and mediating from a communications perspective. Invaluable! In addition he is curious about averything – a cool, righteous and competent guy!” — Eva Stattin, enterprise client
Coaching
Many people worry about how well their work aligns with their personal values and ambitions. You may also experience a sense of imposter syndrome, doubt your own competence or struggle finding your voice and the best way forward in your current position.
As your coach I help you uncover your goals and strengths, bringing you closer to the person you want to be. Together, we set up coaching sessions that fit with your schedule and preferred mode of communication.
I carry out assignments for coaching groups and individuals, in leadership as well as junior positions.
“You can't ask for a better outside perspective than you get from Per Axbom. He's been extraordinarily helpful to me in providing the type of insight that only someone with his particular mix of real-world experience and natural inquisitiveness can.” — Jason Kirst, coaching client
Teaching
Learning, building upon and sharing new knowledge has been a significant part of my career. I am regularly asked to do talks and workshops at conferences and networking events. And by teaching at design schools I force myself to stay on top of my game and take pride in giving back and growing the industry.
Always trying to challenge generally accepted truths, I want the audience to walk away with new insights, tools and conversation starters. It's the conversation that moves us to the next level.
- My Speaking page with info on collaboration
- My Teaching page (for workshops and courses)
- Contact me about speaking or teaching
“Amazing talk by @axbom.” “Your talk was my favourite.” “Hearing lots of whispers about how amazing @axbom's talk is :)” “@axbom That was truly inspiring. My brain has had a fantastic workout thinking about your talk.” — Various feedback on my Fairytale Experiences talk. (video)
Writing
The power of words has always amazed me. Obsessed with creative writing in school I wrote my first novel at 19. I started blogging in 1997 and went on to run one of the most recognized blogs in Sweden around usability and accessibility. Hint: it's the website you're on right now.
By regularly contributing through blogs, articles – and also podcasting and books – I can try out new ideas, reach thousands of people and get valuable feedback and ideas in return. It allows me to keep pushing the boundaries of what design is and can become.
You will find my most of my written work through my blog(s), and the best way to stay with me for the long haul is my newsletter.
For my daily musings, follow me on Mastodon/Fediverse or LinkedIn.
Publications
- Digital Compassion
- Misusability (paused and being reimagined for a book on Tech Ethics)
- The AceAwe Experience Model: Helping you create impressive products
- Little Bossman (a novel i wrote in 1995)
- In Swedish: Digital tillgänglighet: Introduktion till WCAG
- In Swedish: Den omöjliga översättningen