My Design Process
I use a 5-step design process - Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test. It was proposed by the Hasso-Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford.
Empathize
During the Empathy stage, I carry out user research to understand what my potential users want. I want to know what they currently have, how they feel about it and what they would like to see to make their experience better. I create Empathy maps and User Personas.
Define
Here, I draw out Pain Points from my participants' responses. This is where we will analyse the observations and synthesise them in order to define the core problems that my team have identified up to this point. As a UX designer, I define the problem as a problem statement in a human-centred manner.
Ideate
In the Ideate stage, I start to ask questions which can help me look for ideas for solutions by asking: “How might we…". I examine these problems identified and find how to solve them. I use a prioritisation grid to sort them out based on urgency, importance and resources needed to achieve them. The most pressing problem is identified in this stage.
Prototype
After generating and sorting out ideas, I start designing solutions to these problems. I make sketches of user flows and task flows on scrap paper. I also use Miro Board to organise my thoughts. I use coloured sticky notes a lot to keep my fleeting thoughts in one place.
The User Journey Map is created and then I start making the low-fi prototype. I use either Whimsical or Balsamic for the low fidelity types.
Thereafter, I go to Figma or Adobe Xd to design the Hi-fi prototypes using different plug-ins, icons and other assets. I create my design system and also make the designs on other platforms as applicable (desktop, mobile, tablet, watch, etc.). I have good understanding of components, auto-layout and prototyping so my work comes out very neat. This takes about 4-6 weeks depending on how many people I work with.
Test
Finally, when the work is done, I send the prototype to users to test. Testing could be within the team, with random people, with the stakeholders, with potential users, etc. Sometimes, I also do a product demo to stakeholders to get live feedback. The feedback I get will go into improving the prototype until hands off to engineers begin, and up till product launch. Even after launching, we keep assessing the product for good experience, responsiveness, speed, etc.The User Journey Map is created and then I start making the low-fi prototype. I use either Whimsical or Balsamic for the low fidelity types.
Conclusion
Music and short breaks make me more efficient. When I need to concentrate, I prefer to be alone in a quiet place. I like to also munch healthy snacks such as fruits while working. I take pride in solving problems through design.