User experience process
Our user experience (UX) process follows the standard design thinking methodology.
1. Discovery
Before we begin any project, we get immersed in our client’s company, their brand, their products, their competitors, and their customers. Once we have this context, the design thinking process can begin in earnest.
2. Empathize
Human-centered design is at the heart of everything we do. To empathize with our users, we observe them as they try to accomplish a task. What are their physical and emotional needs? How do their environment, lifestyle, or external situations affect the way they use the product?
3. Define
Now that we know all we can about the user and their context, we define the problem. The problem statement must be focused and solvable, because we cannot solve all things for all users. It must be rooted in the users we observed and have gained empathy for.
4. Ideate
After defining the user and problem, we do some blue sky thinking on solutions. We cast a big net for ideas, but then quickly home in on the most promising ones and refine those.
5. Prototype
After agreeing to a few solid solutions, we prototype them. There are a couple levels of fidelity of prototypes that we might do. Among them are: black and white wireframes, fully-designed mockups, and interactive clickable mockups on smartphones.
5. Test
With prototypes in hand, we can quickly test out our hypothetical solutions with real users. This will give us actionable feedback that will validate our solutions or give us more data that points to a better solve.