The design process

 

Every project requires a systematic and well-structured approach. It starts with onboarding to identify needs and constraints, followed by strategic planning and design thinking. This involves empathizing, defining the problem, generating ideas, prototyping, testing, and implementing solutions. By following this process, the project progresses iteratively, ensuring a comprehensive and user-centered outcome.

 
 

What you'll always get:

 
  • Agility to shift direction

  • Attention to detail

  • Deliveries on time

  • Open communication

  • Tailored strategic planning

  • Willingness to accept constructive feedback

 
 

Step 1: Onboarding

 

During the onboarding phase, the first step is to identify the needs and constraints of the project. This involves understanding the problem at hand and defining the target audience. Additionally, tasks, requirements, competitors, and branding constraints should be considered to provide a comprehensive framework for the project.

 
 

Step 2: Strategy

 

The strategy phase begins by establishing the vision for the project. This includes defining where the project is headed and why it is important. It is essential to articulate the summary of the product or service in its ideal form and emphasize the value it provides. For example, a vision statement could be to "deliver a caring and convenient digital healthcare experience for patients and providers."

Goals and measures of success should be established, ensuring that they connect UX improvements with the overall business goals. Breaking down these goals into multiple objectives helps prioritize activities and address uncertainties. This roadmap or plan outlines the necessary actions or steps to reach the goals over time. Focus areas in the user experience, approximate timing, prerequisites, dependencies, and components to include should also be considered during this phase.

 
 

Step 3: Design

 

The design thinking process begins with empathizing and understanding the problem at hand. This involves conducting user research, such as interviews and creating empathy maps. It's crucial to assess existing solutions and competitors, understanding what they get right and wrong, and whether they adequately address the issue.

Defining the end user's problem is the next step, articulating it in the form of user need statements or job stories. These statements follow a three-part format, including the user, their need, and the goal they want to achieve.

Ideation follows, where possible solutions are generated. This can involve creating mood boards, brainstorming, sketching, and categorizing ideas into rational, delightful, darling, and long-shot categories. The goal is to generate a range of potential solutions.

Planning comes next, where a promising solution is selected. This involves evaluating whether it fits the necessary time frame, budget restraints, aligns with the target customer's needs, and differentiates the company. User journeys are created to map out the actors involved, scenarios, expectations, journey phases, actions, mindsets, emotions, and opportunities for optimization.

The chosen solution is then prototyped, starting with low-fidelity wireframes or paper prototypes for quick iterations. High-fidelity prototypes are developed to test the workflow, user interface, graphical elements, and interactivity. The prototype is then tested and evaluated, using unmoderated or moderated testing methods like the Wizard of Oz Method on paper prototype tests.

Finally, the solution is implemented, and any necessary redesigns are made based on the evaluation results. The iterative nature of the design process allows for continuous improvement and refinement as needed.

By following a tailored design process, projects can develop smoothly and consistently from end-to-end, resulting in a well-informed and user-centered solution.

 
 

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