A five-step UX design process for 2021
A Five-step UX Design Process
A process is a key part of nature. Think the water cycle, the rock cycle, the relationship between predator and prey, photosynthesis, and many, many more.
As humans, we love a nice set of cues and to get a task done. We develop processes to solve problems, make decisions, and discover new information. As a designer, a process is very important. In something that is as extensive as UX design, it can be easy to lose track of your process. That is why it helps me to keep a process that is predetermined.
Here is a simple (but effective) process that revolves around five key steps:
Research
Target
Design
Verify
Distribute
It is important to note that this process is not a straight line but a circle. When you finish the last âstepâ it's time to start over again to âNever Stop Improvingâ (thanks Loweâs!).
I think a good place to go from here would be to explain quickly each of the five pieces of the process. Letâs do it!
Research
You love it or you hate it, but you know the difference it makes. UX research is the lifeblood of your UX design process. It's the rhyme to your reason. It involves really getting into the nitty-gritty of your product and deciphering the problems and concerns that hide within. Get into the mind of your user and really feel (empathize!) with them. Take note of what you learn because it will come in handy in the next piece of the puzzle.
Target
You know all that wonderful research you just produced? It's time to funnel it down to a few project targets. The targets you will make are really just your distilled research that makes it easier to proceed. Example: If you just ran research for a website that seems to be having a hard time with conversions, you may find that the user journey is complicated and choppy. This might mean the project target needs to be optimizing your website for conversions (Oh, good olâ CRO). Not only should you decide on project targets, but you should also consider user targets. Who will be users of your product? Who will be the end-users?
Design
Now that you have your project targets, it's time to pull out your bow and arrow and take aim. Its best to use a solution-based design that focuses on achieving your goals. The design is the solution to the problem, approach it as such. Think like the user as you first design the motion and interaction of the website. Continue onto the visual aspect of the design. Build on top of your existing wireframe and keep in mind accessibility, usability, and responsiveness! Most importantly, have fun with it. Be creative in how you solve user's problems.
Verify
Your design that was built on a foundation of research and targets, is ready to show the world. Before you click that publish button it is important to verify! Verification is the part of the process where we do testing of the product prototype. There are three specific groups that are good to test with: the design team (review your work!), stakeholders (they are invested in the product, wow them), and potential users (think the end-users, ask some of them to demo your product). In a way, the verification is simply a second round of research. Keep track of what you are learning and implement changes as necessary.
Distribute
Finally, time to show the world your baby. Post that design, publish that website, list that app! Let the design be living. As users interact with your product notice what is working and what is not. Remember, the process above is not linear, but iterative. Run your product through the process again in order to build on your amazing product!
Thanks for reading!
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