In every group of friends, we usually have that one friend who always pops up only when you are presenting a solution or an idea. His self-proclaimed job is to validate the idea and bombard 10 questions – “How do you know?”, “How can you be so sure?”, “What’s the proof?” and he goes on…….
So out of frustration the next time you present an idea you make sure you back up your idea with facts, survey results and opinions.
My designer friends would have related many things by now! 😛
On a positive note, presenting user testing data along with prototypes adds a lot of credibility to your work. Designers face various challenges while presenting ONLY prototypes. Lets have a look at 3 important ones -
(present user testing data along with prototypes)
1. #“Clients pick up the most fancy designs which overrules UX”
While it’s great to have a sophisticated UI, having a good UX design is 10X times more important. But the hurdle is that you cannot predict the UX just by gazing at the design. So while a client is having a look at your designs, it is very difficult to decide which design will impress the user. To make a decision, he usually goes with the best looking one. Not his fault!
(Dilemma of the client)
Solution - Have a detailed report of how the user responded to a particular prototype. This definitely makes decision streamlined and easy for the client. And above all, a happy UX designer.
2. #”My baby is the prettiest” syndrome
As designers, you would agree with me that sometimes we tend to become biased about our creations. Every designer thinks in a particular direction and he gets soaked in it so much that it seems perfect to him. And it’s totally natural. Everybody tends to do that
(My paintings are always my favorite )
Solution - Share your prototype with target user base and watch them use your design. Closely observe where they are getting stuck and what went on smooth for them. You will be amazed to see your creation after iterations based on this feedback.
3. #”Users expect good UX from all, including STARTUPS”
Startups are the best groups from where one could learn crisis management. Limited resources, limited money and limited user base, but nothing is enough to stop them from moving ahead. Under such circumstances, a startup does not want to upset their user base with a not-so-awesome app/website experience. 1 in 4 apps is abandoned after just one use. Scary… right?
(The aim of startups is to flower even with all crisis conditions)
Solution - Let the judge decide what pleases him. Let your users guide you through your design process. When you are done with making prototypes, perform user testing on them and iterate accordingly.
Make it the best user experience, Make it memorable for them,
Make it appealing to download, Make it fun to use,
Make it a habit to perform user testing on your prototypes…