No matter how much the process of making them has changed, their success still depends on how well they are perceived by consumers. In the last few years, a new trend has emerged in design - user experience design - whose focus is on achieving the most positive user experience.
What is a user experience?
The user experience refers to how users of a system feel while interacting with it.
What you need to know about user experience design (UX design)?
UX design provides countless opportunities for the development of a project, but from the very beginning we would like to clarify that it can not achieve absolutely everything. In the following lines we will note the main misconceptions related to UX design.
UX design is not universal
UX design cannot be applied in absolutely all situations, because as people, your clients will have different views on the development of their own project. Sometimes they will not match the techniques you use.
The best thing you can do is create a design that encourages certain behaviors and emotions, but always keep in mind that it is not possible to predict 100% how your ideas will be perceived by users.
Also, remember that you cannot apply the same concept in different situations. The user experience is and should be different depending on the specific project and the goals set by it.
In UX design, you can't rely solely on traditional metrics
Of course, each project must be analyzed. For this purpose, metrics are used, such as dropout rate, impressions, etc., which can give you an idea of user behavior. Based on them, however, you can only make assumptions about what they would like. Psychological techniques are leading in UX design - so pay more attention to them. Don't just focus on the metrics - use them as a guide, but that's it. Try to build the psychological profile of your target audience, not demographic.
User experience is not equal to Usability
Increasingly, user experience and usability are being used interchangeably. But this is not right. The two terms mean different things. UX refers to how users feel while using a system, while usability is related to the ease and efficiency of working with the user interface.
Tasks and techniques of UX designers
UX designers perform various tasks. Some of them are listed below.
Product evaluation
If the system already exists, the UX designer must assess its position. It should report problems and suggest improvements based on analysis and research.
A / B testing
The UX designer needs to do a study to compare the effectiveness and quality of the experience of several different user interfaces.
Consumer research
The UX designer can interview current and potential users of the system to find out which is the most effective design. And because the user experience is subjective, the best way to get this information directly is through learning and interacting with users.
Models and prototypes
Based on his research, the UX designer can make a model of the different layers of the design, and subsequently more precise prototypes.
Flow of users
The UX designer must also design the way users will navigate the system.
Creating a script
One of the main goals of UX designers is to evoke emotion in users. For this purpose, the most appropriate strategy is to create a script, a story that, in addition to arousing certain feelings, must also bring useful information to the user.
Design templates
Templates provide consistency and a way to find the most effective tool for building a particular system. In UX design, the choice of appropriate interface elements leads to the creation of better and more familiar user experiences. But the UX designer must not only offer specific templates, but also create custom ones.
Defining the content
Simply put, defining content is a list of pages that will be contained on the website (if the project is related to the development of a website). Keep in mind that quite often the definition of content leads to changes in the information architecture.
Defining style guidelines
Consistency is a very important element in creating a memorable user experience. Defining style guidelines will give designers and copywriters a framework in which to work and so you will be sure that each new element will meet the requirements and goals of the client.
Source: smashingmagazine.com.