One of the big topics of conversation in UX circles the past few years has been “Lean UX”, an approach focused on minimizing and reducing design documentation in order to focus more on what is being designed instead of the artifacts. I’m…
Category: UX Articles
Apple, UX Articles
UX, nude selfies, and the cloud
If you were paying attention to pop culture news this past weekend you’ll have seen that a whole lot of photos of female celebrities, in various levels of undress, leaked onto the Internet. The photos, illegally taken from the iCloud…
UX 101, UX Articles
Building a pattern library for fun and profit
One of the most beneficial activities you can do on a large design project (especially if it’s a web application) is to define a pattern library. This architectural document details the framework that all the UI screens and screen elements…
My Quora answers, UX 101, UX Articles
User scenarios, user stories, use cases – what’s the difference?
The three are different, but not as much as you may think. Let’s talk about stories. No, not user stories… stories. We are wired to engage with and tell stories – it is a seminal part of the human species.…
UX 101, UX Articles
Twenty great #UX quotes
Here’s some of my favorite quotes about user experience design – some are directly about UX, others are about creativity and simplicity. Enjoy. “A picture is worth a thousand words. An interface is worth a thousand pictures.” Ben Shneiderman “Good…
UX 101, UX Articles
Get my book UX 101 as a free download!
After getting a lot of feedback (some good, some bad – all helpful) I have made some revisions to UX 101 and have finished up a second edition of the book. The new edition will soon be available on Amazon…
Featured Articles, UX Articles
The eight most common mistakes made on UX projects
I’ve worked in the UX discipline for over a decade now, and have been on a number of projects both large and small. One of the skills I’ve picked up in that time is pattern recognition, which helps me create…
My Quora answers, UX Articles
What is the best way to create a UX roadmap?
First off, let’s discuss the term “UX Roadmap.” I’ve heard it used in a couple of different ways. Here’s one definition, from UX Game Changers: The UX roadmap defines the stages of the user delivery. And while demands can change…
Featured Articles, UX Articles
Seven things your boss needs to know about UX
As someone who has been in the user experience domain for a LOOONG time, I have had lots of conversations with many different executives. And, most of the time, these execs knew how to spell “UX”, but they didn’t know much…
My Quora answers, UX Articles
What is expected from a UX leader (director, VP, etc.)?
Leadership, mentorship, passion, and business acumen. Leadership in that that person must set the standards and direction for the organizations’ offerings, be they products, services, or both. How much due diligence should be done to ensure designs align with user…
My Quora answers, UX Articles
What are the job prospects for UX researchers?
Not bad, but not as good as they used to be. These days, companies large and small are often looking for something know as a “UX unicorn” – a designer that can do research, detailed documentation, research findings, develop the…
My Quora answers, UX Articles
Will gamification become less effective as it becomes widespread and applied everywhere?
I think it’s already become less effective, and less frequently used as a result. Here’s my reasons: Points without value. Gaining points while doing a task is great… if they are actually worth something. The problem is, unless the points…
UX Articles
UX, the Bruce Lee Way
As a UX professional I take inspiration from a great many things. Since I’m also a big pop culture geek, that’s been the biggest well I draw from. I’ve read a lot of entertainment biographies lately, and the latest was…
Disney, Technology, UX Articles
Disney’s new Fastpass+ system damages the Disney Parks experience
The Walt Disney Corporation recently completed the rollout of their Fastpass+ system at their Walt Disney World park. The system uses RFID technology to allow park visitors to scan wristbands (called “MagicBands”) and walk on rides they had scheduled in…
My Quora answers, Technology, UX Articles
Will big data be used increasingly in the UX field to answer user experience questions?
Yes and no. Big Data provides… well, big data. Lots of data. This data needs to be parsed, analyzed and understood. It is (potentially) a source for user insights and understanding that is unparalleled. It can provide a lot of…
My Quora answers, UX Articles
How should you facilitate a usability test? What questions should you be asking to participants?
The key in facilitating a usability test is to make the participant comfortable. Reassure them that they are not being judged/evaluated, the designs are. Have a quick chat at the beginning to put the person at ease and to get…