As a class we collectively wrote that UX design is the process of creating meaningful interaction between the user and a product or service. This could be through functionality, usability or aesthetic. It is designing a system or product that prioritises users needs, wants and requirements based on an understanding of User Empathy as well as base human conventions. It is about working in teams to problem solve and collaborate to get things done more efficiently, with maximum happiness and minimum stress.

The Nielsen Norman Group describes UX design to encompass all aspects of the end-user's interaction with the company, its services, and its products. They believe a good user experience starts with meeting a customers needs and producing a product which is elegant and a joy to use.

https://youtu.be/9BdtGjoIN4E?feature=shared

The NN Group believe a truly good user experience goes beyond giving customers what they say they want and providing a seamless product or service and how a good UI does not always result in a good user experience.

<aside> 💭 I think it is important for us to remember this as we can often jump into making our designs aesthetically pleasing and pretty but if they do not solve the users problem or a purpose then it is obsolete. A great example of this is banking apps online presence, the more they are able to offer in an easier and intuitive way, the better feedback and return rate they get from their users.

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Design Models

The Double Diamond by Design Council

The Double Diamond is a visual representation of the design and innovation process. It’s a simple way to describe the steps taken in any design and innovation project, irrespective of methods and tools used. The 4 steps of this design methodology is:

• Discover - helps people understand, rather than simply assume, what the problem is. It involves speaking to and spending time with people who are affected by the issues.
• Define - insight gathered from the discovery phase can help you to define the challenge in a different way.
• Develop - encourages people to give different answers to the clearly defined problem, seeking inspiration from elsewhere.
• Deliver - testing out different solutions at small-scale, rejecting those that will not work and improving the ones that will.

<aside> 💭 I can see how this is a valuable model for designers to follow and incorporate into their design process as it will hopefully prevent any major errors thin the process.

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Human-Centred Design Methodology by IDEO

Human Centred Design is a creative approach to problem solving created by IDEO. It’s a process that starts with the people you’re designing with and ends with new solutions that are purpose built to suit the needs of the end user. Human-centred design is about creating empathy with the people you’re designing with and generating ideas.

It works in 3 stages:

• Inspiration - Understanding the users, observing their lives and collecting information
• Ideation - Generate ideas and design opportunities as well as testing and refining your solutions.
• Implementation - How to market your ideas