Design Process Articles & Videos

  • Case Study: Iterative Design and Prototype Testing of the NN/g Homepage

    The NN/g homepage redesign relied on rapid iterative prototyping, and usability testing, to balance multiple design objectives.

  • Beating Creative Blocks in UX Design Through Reframing

    A method for getting unstuck from a design challenge. By reframing the problem, you can find inspiration in unexpected places.

  • Design Thinking 102

    Get started with Design Thinking by practicing empathy in manageable, small yet effective, ways.

  • A Model for Conducting UX Workshops and Exercises

    To ensure activity participants get the most out of UX activities, use a three-step process to conduct them: explain, execute, and examine.

  • Storyboards Help Visualize UX Ideas

    Storyboards are visual representations of UX stories, which capture attention, provide clarity, and inspire us to take action.

  • UX Visualization Techniques Reduce Your Cognitive Load

    UX deliverables such as journey maps and affinity diagrams help designers visualize information, so they can be better understand and act on it.

  • Using Content Frames in the Design Process

    Content frames are a tool that can help us make sure we’re not waiting until the end of the design process to incorporate real content into the experience.

  • Focus on Results, Not on Perfect UX (Don Norman)

    When designing, think about what the person is trying to accomplish. Don't let the design get in the way.

  • Using Prioritization Matrices to Inform UX Decisions

    Visuals such as charts and matrices can help practitioners base important decisions on objective, relevant criteria instead of subjective opinions.

  • Coping with Being the One-Person UX Team

    How to maximize your impact when you are the sole UX specialist on your project or in your organization.

  • In Defense of Post-its

    Sticky notes strengthen team dynamics and represent an egalitarian, concise means for expressing ideas in UX design projects.

  • UX Expert Reviews

    Expert reviews involve the analysis of a design by a UX expert with the goal of identifying usability problems and strengths.

  • The 5 Steps to Service Blueprinting

    Five key steps comprise a framework for service blueprinting that can be scaled to any scope or timeline.

  • Why Personas Fail

    Personas are useful tools for UX work, so why do they often fail? Find out what pitfalls cause personas to fail, and how to avoid and overcome them.

  • Decision Frames: How Cognitive Biases Affect UX Practitioners

    Designers are vulnerable to the same cognitive biases as users. The context in which you present a problem can bias your design choices.

  • How to Deal With Bad Design Suggestions

    Gracefully respond to unsolicited design ideas, and prevent them from derailing good design. Turn them into UX learning experiences.

  • UX Mapping Methods Compared: A Cheat Sheet

    Empathy maps, customer journey maps, experience maps, and service blueprints depict different processes and have different goals, yet they all build common ground within an organization.

  • Ideation in Practice: How Effective UX Teams Generate Ideas

    Data from 257 UX professionals shows that quality UX ideas come from ideating early in the design cycle, drawing inspiration from user research, and working with a group. Many struggle with generating ideas because they lack time, managerial support, and a methodology for conducting effective ideation sessions.

  • 5 Strategies for Presenting UX Remotely

    Master remote presentations by creating the right environment, being human, reducing distractions, taking control, and telling a story.

  • Scaling Design Thinking to Fit Your Needs (and Budget)

    Design-thinking methods are flexible and scalable. You can apply them to a variety of design challenges regardless of budget and team size.