Design Methodology

While this is not an exhaustive list of methodologies used in user experience design work, it provides a general overview of the skillsets and expertise required to provide quality and viable design.

Research - gathering information about users’ needs, wants and pain points

• Qualitative Research

  • Interviews

  • Focus Groups

  • Ethnographic/Observational Studies

• Quantitative Research

  • Surveys

  • A/B testing

  • Click tests

• Generative Research

  • Interviews

  • Brainstorming/Design Thinking Sessions

  • Card Sorting

• Evaluative Research

  • Usability testing

  • A/B testing

  • User Surveys

  • Task analysis

Information Architecture - organizing information in a way that is easy to find and understand.

• Content inventory

• Content hierarchy

• Content labeling

• Navigation systems

• Search systems

Interaction Design – designing how users interact with a product or service.

• User goals

• User actions

• User interface elements

• Interaction flows

• Feedback

• Error handling 

Visual Design – designing the look and feel of a product or service.

• Typography

• Color

• Images

• Iconography

• Style guides

Accessibility – designing products and services that are accessible to people with disabilities.

• Contrast

• Text size

• Text alternatives

• Keyboard navigation

• Screen readers

Design Strategy

• Start with the business goals. The design strategy should be aligned with the business goals of the organization. The design must help the organization achieve its goals.

• Understand the users. The design strategy should be based on an understanding of the users of the product or service. The design should meet the needs of the users.

• Use design principles. The design strategy should be based on a set of design principles. These principles will help create a design that is effective, efficient, and sustainable.

• Choose a design process. The design strategy should include a design process. This process will help to create the design in a systematic and organized way.

• Use design tools. The design strategy should include a list of design tools that will be used to create the design. Tools should be appropriate for the project.

• Create design documentation. The design strategy should include design documentation. This documentation will serve as a record of the design process and will be helpful for future reference.