User Experience (UX) - A bite-sized guide to help justify the importance in your organisation

Introduction

User Experience (UX) design is not only about the aesthetic, but also about the amalgamation of all the elements that work together to create a meaningful experience for the user. It is crucial to involve users in the UX design process in order to get an understanding of their expectations and needs. This can be achieved through user testing, user interviews, surveys, diary studies and many more methods.

Additionally, it is also important to consider the user's context, such as their environment, culture, and motivations, in order to create an effective UX design. This helps to ensure that the end product meets their requirements and offers a satisfactory user experience.

The article discusses the importance of understanding UX as a philosophy and involving users in the design process to create effective and meaningful experiences. It covers the basics of UX, its history, and the misconceptions associated with it. It also highlights the key players in a project and how to approach UX design to create products that meet the needs and expectations of users.

But most importantly highlights that You are not the user.

1. Well Done, You Value the Importance of User Experience

It's awesome that you're on a journey to really value the importance of User Experience design. Maybe you stumbled upon a blog, heard about it from a friend, have a team member who is a huge advocate, or have done some online research.

Whatever the case may be, you're here to learn more and understand how UX can help you create successful products and experiences that meet the needs of your users.

You'll get to know about different UX principles, the significance of user research and testing, and how to use the best UX practices in your projects.

2. Understanding UX: What You Need to Know Before You Get Going

Understanding UX is key to creating a successful product, and yet it's still a topic that isn't always well understood.

What is UX?

UX is the overall experience of a user when interacting with a product or service. It encompasses all aspects of the user's interaction with the product, from the initial research and discovery, to the actual use of the product, and finally the user's feelings after using the product. UX covers both the physical aspects of a product, such as its design and usability, as well as the emotional aspects, such as how the user feels after using the product.

Why is UX so Important?

UX is critical to the success of any product, as it is the user's experience that will ultimately determine whether or not the product is successful. A product that has a poor UX will not be used, and may even turn users away from the product or service altogether. On the other hand, a product with a good UX will be used more often, and thus have a higher chance of success.

What Makes a “Good” UX?

A good user experience (UX) should be usable, intuitive, and enjoyable for the user. It should be easy to use, and should be designed with the user in mind. A good UX should also be aesthetically pleasing, and should be tailored to the user's needs.

Take away

UX is an important factor to consider when designing a product or service. A good UX will ensure that users are more likely to use the product or service, and will create a positive experience for the user. It is important to remember that UX is not just about design, but also about the user's overall experience.

3. A UX History Lesson

The term User Experience (UX) is relatively new but its roots can be traced back to the origins of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and User-Centered Design (UCD).

HCI and UCD

The development of HCI and UCD began in the 1960s and 70s with the goal of creating a more user-friendly interface between people and technology. HCI and UCD draw from a variety of disciplines, including psychology, anthropology, and design, to create a user-centered environment.

At its core, HCI is concerned with the behavior of a user, while UCD focuses on the design of the interface. By taking into account the needs and preferences of the user, HCI and UCD strive to create an interface that is easy to use and improves the user experience.

These origins and more came well before the term UX.

Thinking about UX

My background in design and technology, has given me a unique perspective on UX design. I have worked on a variety of digital projects and have gained invaluable insights into how to create a user-friendly experience.

In my experience, UX design is about finding the balance between functionality and usability. It is important to create a design that is visually appealing but also easy to navigate.

Take away

The development of HCI and UCD has laid the foundations for what UX design is today. It recognised the importance of striking the balance between something that is beautiful and usable.

4. “Doing the UX”: More Than Just Creating a Product

User Experience (UX) has become a commodity in recent years, thought of as a silver bullet to solve all of a product's problems. However, it is essential to comprehend that UX is much more than just a few tasks; it is a philosophy that should be implemented into each product-related decision-making process.

The Commoditisation of Design

In the modern era, design has become more and more accessible, with an array of tools available to help people create products. Nonetheless, this commoditisation of design has led to the notion that design is merely about what you create, and not how you approach it.

The Silver Bullet Myth

The commoditisation of design has also led to the belief that design is the answer to all of a product's issues. This is simply inaccurate; design is simply one part of the product-building process, and it is essential to understand that there are many other factors that can affect a product's success.

The Series of Tasks Fallacy

At times, UX is viewed as a sequence of tasks. While this is partially true, UX is much more than that. It is a philosophy that should be applied to every product-related decision. It is important to perceive UX as an approach, a way to help shape a product or service to ensure its succesful adoption in the wild.

Take away

Defining the UX is much more than just creating a product. It is an approach that should be applied to every product-related decision. Design is becoming more and more accessible, but it is essential to comprehend that design is more than just what you create; it is how you approach it. UX is more than a series of tasks; it is a philosophy that should be implemented into every decision and its execution should aim higher than making things just work, they need to resonate on a more emotional level with the user.

5. What is design?

Design, and the term “Design thinking” has become a buzzword in recent years, with many people viewing it as a quick and easy way to solve all of a product's problems. However, it is essential to comprehend that good design requires more than the use of good methods and tools. Its an overarching philosophy that should be implemented into each product-related decision-making process.

Design as an Output

The common perception of design is that it's all about creating a visually appealing product or service. This perception is not entirely false, but design is much more than just an output. It is a process that involves research, strategy, testing, and iteration. Design should be focused on solving problems, not just making things look pretty.

Design as a Process

Design is not about creating art; it is about solving problems. Designers use a process to solve problems, and that process is called design thinking. Design thinking involves empathising with the user, defining the problem, ideating potential solutions, prototyping, and testing. This process is iterative, meaning that it is continuously refined until the best solution is found.

UX Design is Not Just UI

UX design is not the same as UI design or service design. It is a broader term that encompasses both UI and service design. UX design involves considering the entire user journey, from the moment a user discovers a product, to the moment they leave it. It involves understanding the user's needs, desires, and motivations, and designing a product that meets those needs.

Experience in More Than Digital

UX design is often associated with digital products and services, but it is much more than that. UX design can be applied to any product or service that involves a user. It can be applied to physical products, such as cars, furniture, and appliances. It can also be applied to non-digital services, such as healthcare, education, and finance.

What About Brand?

Brand is an essential component of UX design. A brand is not just a logo or a set of colours; it is the sum total of how a user perceives a company or product. A good UX design should align with a company's brand values and should reinforce the user's perception of that brand.

Homogenised design

The prevalence of homogenised design has become a common theme with the lack of creativity in the design process. Many organisations have access to on-demand tools that create effortless self-gratification when realising ideas, but they often neglect unique brand exploration that considers the wider implications of the design. Creating something that just "works" limits the scope of the design process and reduces the diversity of the end result. The focus should be on how the brand shapes the experience and not the tools used.

Take away

UX design is much more than just creating a visually appealing product or service. It is a philosophy that should be implemented into each product-related decision-making process. It involves a design process that is focused on solving problems rather than creating art. UX design should be considered in all aspects of a product or service, not just the digital aspect. And finally, UX design should align with a company's brand values to ensure a cohesive user experience.

6. Bringing UX into your Business (AKA Convince the Boss)

UX design has become increasingly important in recent years as companies strive to create products and services that meet the needs of their users. However, there are still many businesses that do not fully understand the value of UX and how it can benefit them. This is where the UX advocate comes in.

The UX Advocate

A UX advocate is someone who believes in the value of UX and is dedicated to bringing it to their organisation. They are passionate about creating products that are user-friendly and enjoyable to use. The UX advocate is responsible for educating their colleagues and management about the importance of UX and how it can contribute to the success of the business.

The Believer

The UX advocate is a believer in the power of UX. They understand that it is not just about creating a visually appealing product, but also about creating a product that is easy to use and meets the needs of the user. The UX advocate is committed to ensuring that the user's experience is at the forefront of every decision made within the organisation.

Positioning UX in the Business

One of the challenges that the UX advocate may face is positioning UX within the business. This involves communicating the value of UX to management and other stakeholders who may not fully understand its importance. The UX advocate must be able to articulate the benefits of UX in a way that is relevant to the business, such as increased revenue, customer satisfaction, and brand loyalty.

Bringing Them on the Journey

The UX advocate must also bring their colleagues on the journey towards becoming a more user-centerd organisation. This involves educating them about the principles of UX and how it can be integrated into their work. The UX advocate should encourage their colleagues to think about the user's experience in every decision they make and to seek feedback from users throughout the design process.

Baby Steps in UX Design

It is important to recognise that implementing UX design in an organisation is a process that takes time. The UX advocate should start with small, manageable steps and build momentum from there. This could include conducting user research, creating user personas, or conducting usability testing. By starting small and demonstrating the value of UX, the UX advocate can gradually build support for UX throughout the organisation.

Take away

The UX advocate plays a critical role in bringing UX into the business. They are responsible for educating their colleagues about the importance of UX and how it can benefit the business. By positioning UX as a key driver of success and bringing their colleagues on the journey towards becoming a more user-centered organisation, the UX advocate can help to create products and services that are more enjoyable and effective for users.

I hope these thoughts give you a honest and realistic introduction to the world of UX design and some (not all) of the points you will need to consider in your org if you are looking to adopt and understand the real value of UX design.

Thank you to all of the people who have helped me shape these thoughts.