Test

Quality designs are the product of teamwork. The number of design iterations or sprints can vary depending on the speed to market. This phase is where the “rubber hits the road.” Usability testing will identify how intuitive the design is and where the problem areas are. In my experience, I have used card sorting, heuristic evaluation, focus groups or usability test labs to gain feedback on the designs. Deliverables include:

• usability test plan
  
• usability tests
  • A/B tests
    
  • Customer observation
• test reports that analyze and report findings
  
• recommendations for future updates
  

Example:

Wells Fargo User Research & Insights Project

Scope: Conduct user research project to evaluation employee’s “time on task” study.
Top design deliverables:
•    Develop interview questions
•    Conduct interviews for individuals and employee focus groups
•    Conducted contextual inquiries
•    Document feedback considering end-users environment
•    Compile responses and analyze results
•    Make recommendations from findings
Determined best approach for conducting the research study by evaluating best open-ended questions to gather objective data. Completed a heuristic evaluation of how users interacted with the Time Tracker software compared to data input and response results.

Design

The next step following the analysis is to step into the design process. . You may also hear this phase referred to as ideation. In this phase, I would have a solid foundation of expectations based on the business requirements, UI specifications, and exchange of dialog with the stakeholders, observation of users, directly or indirectly, and through collaboration of the design team. The design team can include business analyst, visual designers, product managers, developers, and testers and other team members. I work closely with all team members to interpret and deliver design iterations. Deliverables include:
•    site architecture
•    wireframes, low- and/or high-fidelity
•    prototypes
•    design iterations
•    style guides & templates
•    reusable assets

Example

Wells Fargo – Emergency Alert Project

Scope: Populate screen display, when an emergency status exists, with Wells Fargo emergency alerts to end-users performing searches for ATM and banking locations.
Top design deliverables:

• High fidelity wireframes
  
• Prototype
• Coded script for configuration search, retrieval, and conditional display
• Designs for multiple devices implementing mobile-first and responsive design
  

Design considerations included type of device, layout of existing screen, dominant screen colors for alert display, typography.

Summary

In conclusion, I have provided a brief overview of my approach to user-centered, UI/UX design and offered some examples of my deliverables. At the end of a project, I reserve a little time for retrospective. What is my takeaway? What pain points can I avoid? What are some things that worked for me? I consistently learn that the best way to be successful in UI/UX designs is to LISTEN, VERIFY, and VALIDATE. I must listen to the stakeholders, collaborate with the project team, and be open to feedback. Educating the customer when we do not see things eye-to-eye is another valuable activity. Sometimes it results in a win, sometimes I have to give in to the customer. But isn’t that the lesson in life? So, I take every project as a success.

Thank you for taking the time to review my work! I have been working in technology for many years and have been afforded the opportunity to serve in many roles which covers development, database administration (DBA), user interface design (UI), user experience design (UX), site architecture, trainer, teacher, usability specialist, and accessibility champion. My area of focus is primarily UI/UX design, but all my previous roles lend to significant advantage in the user experience deliverables.

Because my background has provided design opportunities in various arenas, this portfolio of work will be diverse as well. Keep an open mind and consider all contributions to the project whether it is a small business, non-profit, or corporate clients. Although each industry falls in a different realm, the basis of creating a quality, intuitive, user-centered design remains the same for all customers.

User-centered design is a toolbox of design techniques that helps designers deliver effective, efficient, engaging, fault-tolerant, intuitive designs. I attempt to produce quality deliverables that matches stakeholder and project goals. I will discuss various tools I use while completing projects.

Planning & Analysis

The first step I take in a project is to understand the project and stakeholder goals. Without a clear understanding of goals, it is impossible to create deliverables that stakeholders will be happy with. So how is that understanding accomplished? I have used various techniques that include:

• contextual inquiries
  
• task analysis
  
• workflow analysis
  
• storyboards
  
• heuristic evaluation
  
• requirements sessions
  

Example:

T.U.T.O.R. Financial Counseling & Literacy Services, LLC Project

Scope: Create a web presence for financial consultant to market financial literacy services. Customer specializes in consulting, counseling, financial literacy, and referral services. Develop a social media presence to connect with customers and solicit potential customers to use the financial and literacy services.

This was a new project and the client gave simple directives. I met with the client to review specific requirements, understand the owner's needs, and assess future needs. In gathering requirements, I was able to determine who the end-users were (personas) and tailor the design to be informational for the first iteration. In knowing what the client's future objectives are, I was able to create a design that will be easy to integrate the new work flows coming on the horizon.

Final deliverables included an end-to-end website design, an integrated literacy video, a means to set up a consultation appointment, and access to social media connections to grow the business.