UXis an abbreviation for User Experience. I call my blog UXdiva, because I specialize in creating positive user experiences by applying both user-centric, and activity based design processes. These processes allow me to create cohesive, predictable, and usable designs for Data Center infrastructure management software. My position is that of a Human Factors Engineer, and I use the following items as tools to aide me in creating good user experiences:
Customer visits- The most important part of doing user centered design is to have a good relationship with your users. It is essential that you keep in contact with your users, and use them to answer your design questions. Often times, personas are generated to reflect the characteristics of real users. During a customer visit it is important to gather as much customer data as possible, this can be done through contextual inquiry, and discovery interviews.
Personas – Fictitious characters based on real customer data that are created to help represent the different types of users within a targeted demographic. These are used during the design process to state a users goals or motivators, and help to answer design decisions about a product, feature or interaction.
Contextual Inquiry- In order for an application to fulfil the needs of it’s users, it is key to understand the users’ work practices. The best way to do this is through a contextual inquiry session. During Contextual Inquiry the person doing the discovery work observers the user in their natural environment, making note of their surroundings, and their work processes. This is the most unadulterated way to collect user data.
Interaction design(IxD) – Design based on the interactions that people have with the products they use. Interaction design consists of theories, practices, and methodologies based on human-computer interaction and user interface design. Interface interactions that are repeated across applications and platforms are known as design patterns or UI patterns.
Information Architecture – A process for organizing and presenting data in a clear and meaningful manner. An intuitive information architecture should enable a user to easily find what they are looking for. Card sorting exercises are ways to help determine how information should be organized based on a users thinking.
Knowledge Mapping- I create a knowledge map to help aide in the information architecture, and interaction design process. A knowledge map is a diagram that uses a verb/noun format to illustrate data, and enables discovery, conversation, gap analysis, education and synthesis. I use knowledge maps to illustrate a users workflow through the interaction process. A knowledge map can be used to illustrate product requirements, organize a users needs and expectations, perform a content audit, and design navigation.
Wireframes – these indicate the placement and content of navigational and content elements.
Mental Model- diagrams that are based on collected user content that show the customers needs and expectations about a certain topic. The best data for a mental model is derived from Contextual Inquiry, but it can also be based on customer interviews.
Branding- branding is a promise that is made to the user, and effective branding is fulfilling the promise. It contains the message that is being delivered to the user about the product they are using.
Style Guide- these are guidelines that designers use to ensure consistency of experience. These usually contain information about design patterns, branding information, and information that a designer/developer needs to keep an application interface and interactions cohesive.
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