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UX DESIGN - AN INTRODUCTION

UX design is an integral part of our lives. UX (User Experience) design defines the process of designing a product, system or service which best reflects the end users desires and needs and creates the best possible user experience. 

 

UX Design is used everywhere, from the apps we use on our phones, to the websites we visit every day, even to even the cars we drive. Since it is such an integral part of designing websites we have put together a list of some best practices when it comes to UX Design to get you started!

CHOOSE YOUR DESIGN TYPE AND STICK TO IT

UX design is not a one-size-fits all approach. It needs to be customised to the user and the user’s context. When starting the design process it is helpful to decide on a design type. Below are some great options to consider:

 

  • Flat Design: A Flat design is made up of 2D Elements, bold colours and simple typography.
  • Flat design 2.0 is currently widely used in Web Design, as it offers great accessibility options both on mobile and desktop.
  • A type of 2.0 is Material Design, a design system that was developed by Google in 2014. Material design consists of both flat design 3D elements. 

CREATE A SITEMAP

The sitemap displays the structure and hierarchy of a website. It is usually created during the planning stage to determine how content will be structured on the site.

 

The sitemap should be logical and easy to understand for both website owners and users. It should also have a logical navigation system with clear labels to help visitors find their way around the site. 

 

Sitemaps help improve User Experience in the following ways:

 

  • It gives you a clear vision of your design goals. Having a goal when designing a website and trying to have great user experience is very important. A great way to create goals is by laying out all your content to your team members.
  • It gets rid of unnecessary pages. A sitemap is a visual representation of the hierarchy of a site. This helps team members find pages they do not want quickly and can adjust accordingly. It also helps get rid of duplicate pages as everything is easier to see.

USABILITY TESTING

The UX design process should be started by conducting user research and testing. This will help you understand your users and what they want from your product or service.

 

The more you know about your users, the better UX design you can create for them. You can also identify if there are any mistakes or typos. Here are few best practices for usability testing:

 

  • Ensure you have the correct users for testing. The best audience for user experience testing are the people who will use your product or service.
  • Prototypes and wireframes are really helpful when it comes to UX design. They allow you to make changes easily and cost effective.

WRITE EFFECTIVE, COMPACT, AND CLEAR MESSAGES

UX writing is the process of crafting language that guides users and helps them interact with a product. If your copy or content isn’t making sense to the user, then this will have a negative effect on their experience.

 

Here are some best practices for UX writing:

 

  • End user oriented: Ensure your writing is effective and aimed at the user. Research and get to know who your audience. What do your users want and need?
  • Compact: This is  key for creating a great user experience. Keep content concise, compact and to the point with a clear understanding of what you want them to do on your site. This should ladder up to your key objectives for your business and support the respective KPIs.
  • Consistent: Ensure your message to the user is consistent throughout the website. Your message should be clear with a common thread throughout.

FINAL THOUGHTS

UX design will have to adapt to the changes in technology and user behaviour. It’s important to keep up with the latest UX design trends, tools and techniques while also knowing when they are appropriate to use.

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