User Experience Design
UX Design and Implementation
As a product is being conceptualized the UX designer would be involved to ensure they are able to properly translate the vision throughout the product lifecycle and ensure usability standards are met. At this stage collaboration between departments is key. Technology, design and business meet to ensure the vision is properly defined at the outset.
Information Architecture
Creating an Information Architecture is the best way to ensure you are able to see all features, widgets, content and categories in an easy to understand structure.
User Journeys and Workflows
Creating a user journey that covers both negative and positive journeys ensures your bigger picture is covered. User Journeys can vary in design and content depending on the product you are creating.
Wireframing
Wireframes are the bare bones of any site, product or app. This is one of the most useful UX tools and can be done in low and/or high fidelity. content, visual hierarchy and overall layout is defined here.
Prototyping
Interactive prototypes can be useful for both designers and developers, ensuring there are no grey areas when it comes time for project hand-over. Prototypes also aid in the final approval of the product before moving onto UI Design and Implementation. In this step the overall functionality of the product is defined and stakeholders can see the concept come to life.
User Testing
This is the fastest way to get quality human insight and empower all teams to empathize with the customer. Valuable insights into human behavior and psychology are direct results of a successful user test. Testing is generally qualitative and makes use of A/B, Card Sorting and Moderated and Unmoderated User Exploration of the App.
Agile Implementation
Implementing findings from user testing should be done iteratively, and user testing is never really done. Using an Agile approach is best when improving processes and products.
Next Up: Creative Direction
When the planning, testing and execution of the User Experience is complete the next step is to design a UI that delights users.