Tag: user research
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7 Steps To Create A Mental Model Diagram In UX Design
Mental models are the ways that people understand, reason, and solve problems. They’re based on past experiences, knowledge, beliefs, and assumptions. They’re often referred to as a small scale model that we carry around in our heads about how the world works. In UX design, mental models help us to create products that match how…
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10 Mental Model Examples for Better UX Design
Mental models are a way of representing how a system works in someone’s mind. They help designers create a better user experience by making products that match the way people already think about how the system works. For example, most people already have a mental model for how a smartphone works that includes being able…
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How To Identify, Apply and Validate Mental Models In UX
Mental models are ideas we have about how the world works. They help us to better understand our environment and anticipate the future. If the experiences we design don’t align with our users’ mental models, our designs will be confusing and difficult to use. This article looks at how to identify, apply and validate mental…
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Mental Models In UX Design: Why, How, What?
A mental model is an idea someone has about how the world works. When we understand user mental models we can make informed design decisions that align with their expectations. In this article, I give an example of the exact process I use to identify mental models and share some examples to help cement the…
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Empathy Mapping In UX Design: The Quick Start Guide
An empathy map is a quick and inexpensive way to capture valuable user insights into an easy-to-digest visual. They’re a great first step before Personas, and a good foundation for Journey Maps. In this article, we’ll share some tips and best practices for creating effective empathy maps. What is Empathy Mapping? Empathy mapping is a…
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How To Get Better At UX Strategy: 14 Practical Tips
Before we get started, I want to give you a solid, actionable takeaway, that I know will level up your understanding of strategy and set you in the right direction. So before you go any further, have a read of the first section and take a few minutes to answer the questions. What’s the One…
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25 Ideas on How To Use Personas In Product Development
Have you ever felt sorry for those dated personas collecting dust in an awkwardly named folder deep within the basement of your team server? A monumental amount of work goes into creating user personas. And when used correctly, they can create a monumental amount of value. In this article, we look at 25 ways to…
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UX Personas without User Research: The Harsh Reality
Have you ever felt like user personas are sometimes just a check box exercise? Something you know is needed, but you can’t quite figure out why or how they’ll help? Have you ever wondered if they were even necessary for your project? We’ve all been there, and understanding how and when to use personas is…
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A Simple Guide to Hierarchical Task Analysis
Hierarchical Task Analysis is used to break complex tasks down into smaller, more manageable parts. It’s useful for UX Designers because it provides a structured and systematic method for understanding the tasks and goals of the users. This article will discuss how to conduct a Hierarchical Task Analysis and some best practices to apply to…
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8 Useful Principles for a Better Information Architecture
Taking on information architecture for the first time can be overwhelming. It’s a complex process that usually involves many rounds of research, testing, and iteration. Luckily, Dan Brown – a UX consultant and information architect – proposed a set of principles that can help to guide our thinking. This article explores these principles, along with…
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User Personas Are Useless: Here’s What Really Matters
When done right, personas can be powerful tools for creating a shared understanding among product teams and stakeholders. But when done wrong, personas give us a false sense of security and lead us to confidently make bad decisions. This article will explore how to go beyond UX personas as a deliverable by focusing on what…
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Really, It’s OK Not to Be a Mixed Methods Researcher
Breaking into UXR can be hard– really hard. As the industry continues to grow both in size and demand for skills, researchers are trying to figure out how to stand out from the crowd. Some vocal leaders and bootcamps claim that successful entry and advancement in UXR comes easiest (or exclusively) with a mixed methods…