ux for beginners step by step process
TRANSCRIPT
UX for Beginners: Step By Step Process
Anthony Overkamp | Creative Director @ Engage
Anthony Overkamp | Creative Director
www.engagesoftware.com
Agenda
1. What is UX
2. Getting Started
3. Methods
4. Resources
Walk away knowing...
● UX isn't magic
● Getting started is hard, but doable
● Educating and backing up your work is to be expected
● Everyone is always learning
● There isn't a concrete right or wrong way
Team of One
● UX is only part of your role● Lone visual designer● Designer/developer/admin ● Faced with “selling” UX to your team
UX is hard to talk about.
User Experience describes both practice and results
“User Experience is the overall effect created by the interaction and perceptions that someone has with your product or service”.
Leah Buley, The User Experience Team of One
Remember Users are people.
Think of words like:
● Love● Hate● Friendly● Easy to use● Pain in the butt
Example:
UX in your daily workflow or routines
Getting Started
Starter Steps
● Find opportunity – what needs fixed?
● Establish a point of view
● Get to know your users
● Design!
Opportunity
It’s often pretty easy to find what needs improvement – but when not obvious, look for places that could be better than good, but great!
Point of View
● Look for easy-wins – things that everyone agrees needs improvements
● Create an action plan – how can we improve this?
● Do some discovery
Know Your Users
● Put yourself in the user's shoes● Ask questions● Work on what you know, and don’t know● Debunk myths and assumptions
Start Designing!
● Sketch your ideas● Enlist help● Research and learn from success stories● Question things
Building Support
● Invite people in● Make things together● Truly listen● Know when it’s good enough
Methods
A few types we’ll discuss
● UX Questionnaire
● UX Project Plan
● Workshop
UX Questionnaire
The goal is to ask questions about a product or services goals, expectations, and needs.
Deceptively simple, and easy to implement.
Tips & Tricks
● Keep it simple● Spend about 1-2 hrs making questionnaire ● Often answers become your project scope● Answers help measure design decisions
UX Project or Feature Plan
● Understand goals● Brainstorm ideas/solutions● Estimate Time● Assign Milestones● Document & Share
Tips & Tricks
● Don’t be afraid to scope and re-scope● The first pass usually takes longer● Don’t shortchange complexity● Use checklists● Make plan visible or easy to access
UX Workshop
● Plan some time to work as a group (at least 2hrs)● Have clear goals
○ Identify issues○ Prioritize the UX part of pain points○ Create Next Steps
● Discuss strengths/wins● Prioritize ● Discuss
Tips & Tricks
● Document – record what you learn● Follow up – keep the conversation going● Don’t forget to include user research● Aim to work together in person● Have fun!
Resources
The User Experience Team of OneA Research and Design Survival Guide
By Leah Buley
http://rosenfeldmedia.com/books/the-user-experience-team-of-one/
Explore what’s out there
● Plenty of books, podcasts, publications
● A List Apart: www.alistapart.com/
● Smashing Magazine: www.smashingmagazine.com/
● UX Booth: www.uxbooth.com/
● UX Matters: www.uxmatters.com/
● Boxes and Arrows: www.boxesandarrows.com/
Thank You!