UX is considered a hard concept to grasp, and is one that will give you many different answers when asked by a group of people. Although the concept appears to be difficult to understand, it is actually quite easy to grasp.
UX stands for User Experience, which encompasses the what, when, where, why, and how a person uses a product. With this concept in mind, it is safe to say that it is understood that a UX designer, is a person who designs these interactions between a product and a user.
Why it is important?
With the emerging trend of online business and ever growing competition, it is fundamental to retain your client and make him take desired action on your website. However majority of websites fail to convert their visitors into leads because either the conversion process is confusing or not very prominent. According to a research on average a websites loses 68% of it visitors because users think that you don’t care about them.
A User Experience designer holds the responsibility of shaping the design of a product. Through user interactions and psychology of a consumer, a UX designer figures out what, how, when, and why a consumer would use a product. What button are they drawn to clicking? What colors would users be more interested in? Why did that part of the product confuse you? These are some of the types of questions that a UX Designer would ask when helping design a product.
But what the potential consumers think about when it comes to a product isn’t all a UX designer has to focus on. They also have to take into consideration the needs of the business. A UX designer needs to take into consideration the business’ needs, as well as the consumers’ needs to create a product that is beneficial to all.
The question is why does this matter to those who are not already UX designers? The reasons are simple:
• A designer is already probably doing half of what is needed to be a UX designer! Following trends, reading opinions on other products, and crowdsourcing are all ways that a designer is already using some of the methods or user experience design.
• UX Design takes into consideration the scientific process of designing a product that is beneficial to both companies as well as clients. This means that it is likely to succeed for almost any business type, and works much better than a test out and try method.
• It’s not incredibly difficult, and can be done by almost every designer. The basics of user testing, card sorting, and the other methods that apply to UX are easy to learn.
• It is challenging, which any designer should give importance to. It can help a designer reach their goals and it pays well to take into importance the needs of both a company, and the consumers.
But the question begs to be asked- how does a UX designer do this? A UX designer follows what is known as a User Centered Design Process. This process basically consists of three steps:
But the question begs to be asked- how does a UX designer do this? A UX designer follows what is known as a User Centered Design Process. This is a way to make sure the potential consumers are included in every part of the design of an unfinished product.
1. Research and strategize:
The process starts with understanding bueiness goals and identifying user needs. Once you have determined your targeted audience and well documented your requirements, next step is to go for design process and analyze.
2. Design and Analyze
A low cost yet quick and visually beautiful design coordinated with an inexpensive testing process can save you inflated costs. The best way is to test your prototype with just 5 or 10 users and you can easily find out 85% of your site’s problem.
3. Solidifying your design Foundation
Once your prototype is tested and validated that means no more guess work and less risk, as well as lowering your development cost. It is time to solidfy your design foundation so that it your product (website) looks intuitive, beautiful and fun.
This is a way to make sure the potential consumers are included in every part of the design of product.
What designers should know, in conclusion, about UX design is simple- it’s important to all designers, whether they be a part of a company, or freelance. It is not expensive, and is a relatively easy way to understand the thought process of designing something that is appealing to the consumer, and also has its advantages when concerning the designer themselves.
Looking into UX design further is a great way to boost not only a designer’s knowledge of how to sell designs, but also as to how they can better themselves as designers.
