Tech


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<p>Compared to companies that do not prioritize design thinking, design-driven companies have <a href="https://wwwimages2.adobe.com/content/dam/acom/au/landing/DT18/Econsultancy-2018-Digital-Trends.pdf">out-performed their competitors by 219%</a> (Vatash 2018). This is due to the fact that design-thinking is comprised of three crucial elements &#8211; desirability to solve a user problem, feasibility to solve that problem using technology, and viability of business success for the product. When strategically executed, desirability, feasibility and viability will lead to the innovation necessary for a successful app.</p>



<p>Before designing an interface for an app, there are many steps to be taken beforehand.&nbsp; A design thinking approach is not just colors and font choices, but also utilizing empathy, psychology, and research. To be successful, one must embody the perspective of the user and figure out how the product aims to improve lives and experiences. Here are the necessary steps to maximize a product’s potential using design thinking. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Part 1: Desirability to Solve a User Problem</strong></h2>



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<p>Someone usually has the idea for an application when they are inspired by a problem. For instance, maybe it’s a struggle to find an affordable taxi in a major city. This might lead to an “a-ha!” moment where the person decides to create a product that will help others solve this same issue. In design thinking, it’s essential to start with the problem that needs solving, whether it’s a small scale problem, or a problem that plagues all of mankind. From there, two steps help to define the problem and narrow a few things down.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Empathize</strong></h3>



<p>The problem that the app solves should be one that is common to lots of people. That’s why the first step is to confirm that a good amount of other people share a similar sentiment. A great way to do this is to conduct discovery interviews. The goal of discovery interviews is to uncover pain points of potential users. Knowing this gives insights and inspiration on how to go about how an app can be used to solve the named problem. Later in the process, interviewees may be used again to test the ideas that have taken shape. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>List the Possibilities </strong></h3>



<p>Now that the initial flurry of great ideas has a little bit more shape around it, it’s tempting to start coming up with more ideas about how to make and release a solution. Resist that urge, take a breath, and step back. This is where “how might we” questions come into play. If trying to make it easier for a user to catch a cab, one might ask, “How might we make it easier for our users to connect with cab drivers?” Or conversely, “How might we make it easier for a cab driver to know where riders are concentrated?” </p>



<p>The process of asking these questions is designed to spark imagination in order to see possibilities. Think of this as a brain-storming session where there is no wrong question, only desire to solve the problem. By asking every “how might we” question one can can think of, the creators are opening their minds to new ideas–which could, in turn, lead to some game-changing innovations. This will also help gauge the scope of the project and what the minimal viable product (MVP) aims to achieve. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Part 2: Feasibility to Solve the Problem Using Technology</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://wordpress.craftedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/emotions-illustration.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-111877"/><figcaption>Source: Ukususha / iStock</figcaption></figure>



<p>Now it’s time to become the Neil Armstrong of design thinking and begin the exploration phase. This means in intense session of brainstorming all possible solutions and seeing which ones have the most potential. This is where creators will explore the different ways that technology can be used to achieve a solution to the problem.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Ideation</strong></h3>



<p>The next step is to brainstorm around all feasible ways the target problem could be solved. For instance, going back to the taxi problem—could the app help people locate rideshares? Could the app call taxis on-demand? How about a private helicopter rideshare? Some of these ideas will seem more feasible and within the scope than others, but don’t eliminate any from the conversation until they are all out there.</p>



<p>Remember, innovation starts somewhere, and one “weird” idea might just have a kernel of brilliance that can be built upon. One word of warning though, it’s easy for an entire team to get hooked on one idea/solution, especially if the leader seems excited by it. For this reason, it’s a really good idea to <a href="https://hbr.org/2017/05/your-team-is-brainstorming-all-wrong">let members of the team make their own lists first</a>, so everyone has something fresh to bring to the table.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Analyze</strong></h3>



<p>Now it’s time to see what everybody else is doing by conducting a competitive analysis. This involves looking into all known competitors, deciding who the strongest competition is, and analyzing their product, web presence, and more. How are these competitors solving the problem? What differentiates this solution from one that already exists?&nbsp; If the exact app is already out there as a strong competitor, this may be a time to pivot the idea to something that addresses a different pain point.</p>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Prototype</strong></h3>



<p>This is where the project really goes into overdrive. Now, it is time to take the best ideas and put real design around them. Start with designing information architecture and user flows–the basic design concepts of how users will navigate through the app using the technology that will solve their problem. Following this, low-fidelity sketches and mockups will allow the creators to get tangible feedback from the potential user group early on in the design process.&nbsp; This information is invaluable and should help chisel away unnecessary design elements and processes.</p>



<p>After tweaking, reiterations, and many rounds of design enhancements, the lo-fidelity hand-sketch will transform into a hi-fidelity prototype that can be given to the user focus group to test the concept. Revision is a fact of life and should be embraced during every step of the process, especially when it comes to what focus groups have to say during interviews and concept testing. This practical and quantifiable information should help creators stay focused on where they need to go. Once the prototype has been revised based on the collected feedback, it is not ready to be developed into a functioning application.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Part 3: Viability of Business Success for the Product</strong></h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Test</strong></h3>



<p>Once the development team has turned the prototype into an actual product, the team might feel “finished.” The reality of this situation is that this has been Phase Zero. It’s once again time to test the application in a controlled environment and make any adjustments needed to enhance the product’s success. Taking early action allows for testing to eliminate bugs and glitches prior to release. No matter what the feedback is, especially if it isn’t positive, it’s important to take it seriously. The team has to be committed to designing with the user at the center of creation. Try to avoid the hubris that comes with thinking that their users are “wrong” or that “they just don’t get it.”&nbsp; After all, they are the target audience!</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"> <strong>Launch</strong></h3>



<p>At launch, the app becomes available to the market, not just the controlled testing group. The creators should continue to monitor the market and collect user feedback. Doing so will ensure the app is current with user needs, while allowing creators to be at the forefront of future innovation. An app is rarely ever a finished product, but rather one that continues to evolve and cater to user needs, which also tend to change over time.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Some teams developing apps might only conduct some of these important steps. Others might think their idea is so great and unique, most of these steps aren’t needed. This type of design work reminds us of that fun old saying, “Pride cometh before the fall.” Taking a design thinking approach is imperative to creating a successful app and will lead to increased satisfaction from users and increased revenue for the product.&nbsp;</p>


Business


<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://wordpress.craftedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/uiux-01-696x464.png" alt="" class="wp-image-111873"/><figcaption><a href="http://netaq.ae/blog/ui-vs-ux-part-1-comparing-apples-oranges/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="image source (opens in a new tab)">image source</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>While there is a noticeable difference between the major roles played throughout the design process, user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) are almost inextricable from each other. Good UI cannot happen without good UX and vice versa. Therefore, using UI and UX teams to collaborate on projects is highly recommended.</p>



<p>UI and UX teams are constantly working together to ensure a product is of its highest quality when entering the market. When designing a website or application, teams need to work with the same intention to carry out a graceful design. This is where both user experience and user interface experts are needed. What’s the difference between the two? How can they work together to help your application succeed beyond your wildest dreams?</p>



<p>The design process starts with user experience, more specifically, figuring out what problem a&nbsp; website or application is solving. It could be anything from trying to help people find their parking spot, tutor them in a new subject, or a daily reminder to feed an exotic fish.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>&nbsp;After choosing a problem to solve, it’s time to decide on a path to solution. This is done by selecting a target audience and beginning the formation of a minimal viable product (MVP). An MVP is a product that has just enough features to be efficient and effective for the user. Typically, a UX designer will form the MVP of an app through a combination of research, live interviews and data collection.<br></p>



<p>With a clear goal in mind, specific user requirements can be defined through documents, user flows and wireframes that are used for collaboration between the UX team and the UI team. After reviewing these assets,&nbsp; the UI designer is ready to begin the visual design process. The UI designer begins implementing the user actions and requirements discovered during the UX research phase with the product’s brand in mind.</p>



<p>Throughout the design process, the two disciplines consistently interact in order to discuss how the design fulfills the UX requirements before moving on to user testing. There are numerous ways to test users, but one of the more common ways is through the use of a clickable prototype. The prototype gives users a full experience of the product while providing the UI/UX team insight on potential issues with usability, accessibility or design. User testing is crucial to ensure a product is ready for the market.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Once a prototype has passed user testing, it is now ready for development. In this stage, UI/UX teams and development teams work together to discuss design notes, MVP features and any other questions concerning the prototype. While the developers analyze the information given, they can then accurately estimate the time and effort required for implementation. As a direct result, the company can approximate a budget for the buildout of the product.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://wordpress.craftedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/UI.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-111875"/><figcaption>Author/Copyright holder: Teo Yu Siang and Interaction Design Foundation. <br>Copyright terms and licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>A Worthwhile Investment</strong></h3>



<p>Twenty years ago, user interface and user experience were unknown disciplines. Today, many companies find a growing need for specialized UI/UX teams for their digital products. Doing the necessary research at the beginning of a project saves time and money for companies in the long run. Fixing a problem in development costs 10 times as much as fixing it in design, and 100 times as much if you’re trying to fix the problem in a product that’s already been released (Pressman 1992).</p>



<p>At Crafted, our team members wear multiple hats. Our UX designers know about UI and our UI designers know about UX. This makes our design process fast and efficient as they can anticipate the needs of the other. For this reason, our clients get the websites and applications they need quickly and with great design and functionality. <a href="https://craftedup.com/work/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Take a look at the work that we did with USA Football</a>, a fast and reliable web app that handled a Super Bowl’s worth of web traffic.<br></p>


Contents

Is your business
ready for structured content?

How Design Thinking Can Shape Your App Idea

Contents

Is your business ready for structured content?

How Design Thinking Can Shape Your App Idea

Is your business
ready for structured content?