The UX process can be imagined of like a multi-layer cake. Done well, the steps form on top of one another, finally providing a pleasant user experience.
Determine Foundation
Define business objectives, goals, & user needs
This is the base course of any project. Supporting all subsequent layers, the plan sets the stage for your project’s success. As you build, each layer will check finally in with this foundation layer to assure it’s effectively reaching project needs.
Keeping the requests of your users in mind alongside your own helps to create something rewarding for both parties. Clarifying vague objectives into moderate, trackable goals will ultimately help answer, “Was this project encouraging?”
Define Requirements
Nail down functional specs & content requirements
Building on the establishment, this next layer defines the site’s physical specifications. This is the time to decide what functionality the site must have to satisfy the business objectives and user needs. For instance, will your site require a shopping cart? What functionality does that cart need to sell products well? What content needs to be added to fulfill the user’s desires and curiosities?
Make sure to keep the user in mind. If it doesn’t add value or satisfy the user’s desire, it might be best left out. It’s tempting to include all available content, but confusion will only dilute useful information & distract the user. Pairing down “must haves” helps clarify messaging & guide the user towards satisfying your goals & theirs.
Architecture
Map out information architecture & user flow
How is your site arranged? What story are you telling? Think back to the foundation layer–the project’s goals–& determine how a user will expect to discover what they’re searching for. How are you guiding users through the site?
What pages or sections do you need to include? Producing a site map with a high-level exploration structure will help visualize how a user might maneuver. Working through various use cases will help decide if the flow is appropriate.
Consider modern design patterns & build on systems that are intuitive for the typical user. Unless your brand is edgy & looking to appeal to a radical following, it’s best to stay within expected patterns. If you’re doing it right, the user shouldn’t have to learn new procedures to get what they want.
Structural Design
Build the interface, define interplays, refine copywriting
Once you’ve learned the pieces of the puzzle, the next step is to flesh out those pieces. Focusing more on the features, assemble a skeleton that will allow you to refine your user flow & house your copywriting.
Lorem ipsum is often used as placeholder copy, but it makes it hard to tell if your message is well communicated unless the actual content is in place. Copy shouldn’t be the last minute attention. For a final result, it must work in conjunction with structure & design.
This detailed framework allows you to one in on the effectiveness of your storytelling. Does it make sense? Have you been able to create an emotional connection?Are you presenting the best information at the right time? Does it portray the user in & direct them to the right places? Is it compelling?
Think through the user’s synergies. Is it an appropriate number of steps for the user to get what they want? Are they going to feel like they’re getting what they need? Easily?
Visual design
Altering the brand to visuals
Visual design isn’t just the frosting on the cake. Okay, on a cake, it might be, but for a web experience, UX it isn’t just pretty-making. It deserves its layer.
This step builds upon all the work that came before, translating the brand into visuals & tying it all together as a cohesive, usable interface. And just like each floor before it, it checks back in with the foundational layer. Everything should work towards enhancing user satisfaction, which ultimately enhances yours.
And, of course, the design is an iterative process, so if you find yourself moving through the process & something no longer makes sense, that’s the entire time to make adjustments. Learn each move of the way–it’s the essence of the game that it takes a few tries to get it right.
Let them eat cake!
Present your work
Congratulations! Your cake is collected & looking delicious.
Unfortunately, you’re still not done. Taste testing is imperative before it’s ready to be presented to the world.
User testing is the heart of UX. You’ve prepared your cake using your best judgments, and now it goes out to trial among discerning palettes. Since you’re not your user, until you’ve watched them eat your cake & asked them questions about it, you can’t know what’s best for them.
You’ll learn a lot from the feedback, things you didn’t anticipate. Things you couldn’t expect. And you’ll apparently need to make a good deal of dimes, but that’s okay, that’s reasonable.
…So long as you didn’t proceed this far only to learn that all the customer wanted was an ice cream sundae.
The UX process can be imagined of like a multi-layer cake. Done well, the steps form on top of one another, finally providing a pleasant user experience.
Determine Foundation
Define business objectives, goals, & user needs
This is the base course of any project. Supporting all subsequent layers, the plan sets the stage for your project’s success. As you build, each layer will check finally in with this foundation layer to assure it’s effectively reaching project needs.
Keeping the requests of your users in mind alongside your own helps to create something rewarding for both parties. Clarifying vague objectives into moderate, trackable goals will ultimately help answer, “Was this project encouraging?”
Define Requirements
Nail down functional specs & content requirements
Building on the establishment, this next layer defines the site’s physical specifications. This is the time to decide what functionality the site must have to satisfy the business objectives and user needs. For instance, will your site require a shopping cart? What functionality does that cart need to sell products well? What content needs to be added to fulfill the user’s desires and curiosities?
Make sure to keep the user in mind. If it doesn’t add value or satisfy the user’s desire, it might be best left out. It’s tempting to include all available content, but confusion will only dilute useful information & distract the user. Pairing down “must haves” helps clarify messaging & guide the user towards satisfying your goals & theirs.
Architecture
Map out information architecture & user flow
How is your site arranged? What story are you telling? Think back to the foundation layer–the project’s goals–& determine how a user will expect to discover what they’re searching for. How are you guiding users through the site?
What pages or sections do you need to include? Producing a site map with a high-level exploration structure will help visualize how a user might maneuver. Working through various use cases will help decide if the flow is appropriate.
Consider modern design patterns & build on systems that are intuitive for the typical user. Unless your brand is edgy & looking to appeal to a radical following, it’s best to stay within expected patterns. If you’re doing it right, the user shouldn’t have to learn new procedures to get what they want.
Structural Design
Build the interface, define interplays, refine copywriting
Once you’ve learned the pieces of the puzzle, the next step is to flesh out those pieces. Focusing more on the features, assemble a skeleton that will allow you to refine your user flow & house your copywriting.
Lorem ipsum is often used as placeholder copy, but it makes it hard to tell if your message is well communicated unless the actual content is in place. Copy shouldn’t be the last minute attention. For a final result, it must work in conjunction with structure & design.
This detailed framework allows you to one in on the effectiveness of your storytelling. Does it make sense? Have you been able to create an emotional connection?Are you presenting the best information at the right time? Does it portray the user in & direct them to the right places? Is it compelling?
Think through the user’s synergies. Is it an appropriate number of steps for the user to get what they want? Are they going to feel like they’re getting what they need? Easily?
Visual design
Altering the brand to visuals
Visual design isn’t just the frosting on the cake. Okay, on a cake, it might be, but for a web experience, UX it isn’t just pretty-making. It deserves its layer.
This step builds upon all the work that came before, translating the brand into visuals & tying it all together as a cohesive, usable interface. And just like each floor before it, it checks back in with the foundational layer. Everything should work towards enhancing user satisfaction, which ultimately enhances yours.
And, of course, the design is an iterative process, so if you find yourself moving through the process & something no longer makes sense, that’s the entire time to make adjustments. Learn each move of the way–it’s the essence of the game that it takes a few tries to get it right.
Let them eat cake!
Present your work
Congratulations! Your cake is collected & looking delicious.
Unfortunately, you’re still not done. Taste testing is imperative before it’s ready to be presented to the world.
User testing is the heart of UX. You’ve prepared your cake using your best judgments, and now it goes out to trial among discerning palettes. Since you’re not your user, until you’ve watched them eat your cake & asked them questions about it, you can’t know what’s best for them.
You’ll learn a lot from the feedback, things you didn’t anticipate. Things you couldn’t expect. And you’ll apparently need to make a good deal of dimes, but that’s okay, that’s reasonable.
…So long as you didn’t proceed this far only to learn that all the customer wanted was an ice cream sundae.
W3 Eden
We’re a team of thinkers and makers. We approach work and play with curiosity and experimentation, using what we learn to create meaningful digital products that connect with people, just like you.