The value of usability research in UX Design
As an Experience Designer, I conduct research to gain an understanding of our product’s perception, comprehension and usability. Conducting a usability study is critical in a lean product environment because completing work in such a fast pace requires constant feedback from potential users.
Why run user research?
1. Necessary for human centered design
In order to create human centered designs you need to get constant feedback from users on your product.
‘Human centered design’ is not just terminology but a process. It is constantly understanding the comprehension and perception of your product. People are not computers, we are not ‘hard wired’ to…
How to run your own usability study
As an Experience Designer, I conduct research to gain an understanding of our product’s perception, comprehension and usability. Conducting a usability study is critical in a lean product environment because completing work in such a fast pace requires constant feedback from potential users.
Before the Study
The following elements are key components that I define when conducting an organized usability study. I create one shareable research document where I compile all of the information. If I am conducting quick usability tests in the office I may complete these steps in a less systematic fashion. …
Why every UX Designer needs to do QA and tips to help your process
Building a digital product is an iterative process that contains several stages: discovery, defining, wireframing, prototyping, testing and development. However, there is a step that may be overlooked by UX Designers and excluding this from the workflow process can greatly affect the success of the product.
What is QA?
QA or quality assurance testing is a vital part of the product process. It is the stage of development designed to catch any errors before the product is released. The goal of quality assurance testing is to verify that the…
In 2018 I set a goal — develop my skills as an Interaction Designer. The following is a recount of the past year, what I have learned and where I am going next.
My Goals
One of my personal goals for the year was to improve on my UX process by really diving into interaction design. During graduate school, I created interface designs and then built out prototypes with Processing, HTML, CSS and JS. I focused on function — creating linear experiences where the user would transition from one state to the next.
As an Experience Designer working on software and applications…
Usability Research is a critical part of the workflow as an Experience Designer. Conducting research allows designers to gain an understanding of how people interact and perceive their products. It also helps support design decisions by gauging comprehension for various layouts and visual treatments. Whether you are conducting research on a prototype or on a launched product, usability research is a great learning experience. The following is a list of common do’s and don’ts when completing research.
Do’s
1. Follow the Think Aloud Protocol
The Think Aloud Protocol is a methodology where you ask participants to verbalize their thoughts as they interact with the product. Following this…
As Experience Designers, we are constantly studying how people interact with technology. At Intersection, our design team is obsessed with understanding how people exist in physical spaces and cities. Our products strive to help individuals navigate through cities and transit systems by providing from maps and real time information to assist with decisions. From mobility to connectivity, technology has impacted how people exist in cities, but how has technology changed the way we design? The following will give you a glimpse into our process. …
