The life cycle of a project:
DESIGNING FOR THE ACTUAL PROBLEM
The problem is not always what it seems to be. Often times, it is not even what the users think it is. That is why a good UX Designer is necessary to empirically determine the best possible design solution for both users and business. Using empathy and observation, I parse out the actual, and not the assumed, needs of the user. Through extensive research and synthesis I arrive at solutions that satisfy those needs. Finally, through repeated prototype testing I fine-tune the design until the product is ready to ship.
THE DOUBLE DIAMOND PROCESS
The ‘Double Diamond’ process maps the divergent and convergent stages of a design process. Created by The British Design Council, it describes modes of things that designers use. For more information visit here.
I begin each project by becoming better acquainted with the problem. This involves stakeholder interviews, initial research, brainstorming, and identifying key issues. The second step is to validate or reiterate the problem statement through extensive user research and technical research.
METHODOLOGY:
- Contextual Inquiry
- Surveys
- User Interviews
- Data Analysis
- Competitive & Comparative Analysis
- Heuristic Analysis
Once enough information has been collected to establish who and what I am designing for, I synthesize my findings into actionable goals using a variety of established UX techniques.
METHODOLOGY
- Affinity Mapping
- Persona creation
- Feature Prioritization
- User Scenarios
- MoSCoW Method
- Defining KPIs and MVP
By this step of the process I have determined what features the design must include, what features it could include in the future, and what it will not include (MoSCoW Method). The scope of the project has been set, and the task now is to turn these insights and aggregated data into design.
METHODOLOGY:
- Design Studio
- Whiteboarding
- Paper prototype / rapid prototype
- User testing
This is when products and designs finally start to take form. Once the initial design ideation has been tested and reiterated through quick, raw paper prototypes, i begin to whittle the wireframes down to a more refined form. The challenge is to remain time-efficient while testing the prototype as thoroughly as possible. How many iterations and how much user testing is needed to arrive at a final design, you might ask? The more the better, but generally the object is to reach the MVP (Minimal Viable Product). Once design is complete, it is time to make the actual thing!
METHODOLOGY:
- Low fidelity wireframes
- User testing
- Medium fidelity wireframes
- Iteration
- High fidelity wireframes
- Final Prototype
MY TOOLBOX:
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