User-Centered Design Process

Products that are easy to use don’t just happen. They’re built using a process that discovers and prioritizes user needs. I will customize an approach that includes research with users and fits into the realities of your project or business.

 

User Experience Planning

Even when user research isn't an option, it's important to plan usability-based activities and processes into a project whenever possible. I will help you determine which activities and methods to use and create estimates and plans for these UX project components.

User Experience Strategy

UX strategy documentation can be a guiding force for your UX approach. An understanding of user and stakeholder needs, as well as product and business goals, are the basis for the strategy. I prefer to collaborate with Creative, Content, and Marketing teams for a holistic approach that builds consensus early in the process.

Conceptual Modeling

A visual representation of the UX strategy, it brings together the research, ideas, and other input associated with the design of a product.

User Requirements Definition

Defining user requirements in terms of content and functionality is an important step that builds consensus and determines more detailed scope before design begins.

Usability Testing

Is the product easy to use? Can users accomplish the necessary tasks? The most tried and true user research technique is to “test” an interface for usability with people who will actually have to use it. This uncovers strengths and weaknesses for which I offer recommendations. The testing subject could be paper, electronic, flat, or clickable.

Usability Labs

Looking to bring usability capabilities in-house? I will help you set up a fixed or mobile lab and show you how to use it.

 

User Interviews

By listening to users I'm able to uncover their needs and wants without expecting them to design the product. The data collected informs the personas (user profiles), product usage scenarios, strategy, and requirements.

Heuristic Evaluation

Also called a “Usability Review,” an interface is evaluated by one or more usability experts based on accepted usability best practices. Quick and cost-effective.

 

Card Sorting

A proven research method wherein users organize or prioritize content themselves. It helps to determine conceptual models, information architecture, and nomenclature.

Competitive Analysis

A methodical look at specific competitors and criteria, I audit and evaluate multiple websites or other products to uncover strengths, weaknesses, and best practices.

Contextual Inquiry

A form of ethnographic research, it entails interviewing and observing users outside of the lab-where they work, shop, and live. This method provides deep insight into user thought and behavior.

Surveys and Questionnaires

Either on their own or in combination with usability testing and interviews, these techniques add quantitative data and insight.

Information Architecture (IA)

IA is the organization of a website or other product's content, features, and functionality. Nomenclature and content can also be suggested. Everything is documented in detail in the form of site maps, wireframes, and other deliverables as needed.

Interaction Design

How the user interacts with a product; this is the proposal of interaction patterns, often for complex tools and user tasks. This is particularly important in mobile, software, and Rich Internet Applications using Flash or Ajax technologies. I often use process or user flows, interaction models, wireframes, and functional specifications for documentation.

Sketching

A vital part of the UX design process, sketching on a whiteboard, paper or even napkins, during a collaboration session or alone, is the most efficient way to flush out ideas and concepts before diving into using software. Sometimes, it's all you might need to get you on your way.

Prototyping

Prototypes serve to demonstrate and/or test a user experience design in a more realistic and practical way than your typical UX documentation. These are great for usability testing, stakeholder reviews, and other purposes. Prototypes can vary in fidelity (how close they resemble the real thing) both visually and functionally. I can create many different kinds of prototypes depending on the need, from black and white paper to rich interactive prototypes using visual designs.