Today I provided an introduction and overview to the next big step in the user-centered design process: Conceptual Design. It involves brainstorming, sketching, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and finalizing the information architecture.
You can refer to the same slides about the design process I used earlier in the semester.
We discussed some of the things you need to learn in this next step and that we will cover in the coming weeks:
- the tools of the trade (wireframes, prototypes, evaluation, etc.) – see plugin wirify
- Visual design principles
- Usability principles
Then, we had alumnus Aaron VanSchyndel (Aaron on twitter) talk to us for about 25 minutes. He gave a lot of interesting advice and I would like to ask you to help out and put your notes in the comments. What did Aaron say? What did you take away from what he said? What did you think about what he said?
You can feel free to comment under a user name (as opposed to your real name) if you prefer. Just let me know privately who you are, lonelygirl15.
Sarah
geovon
Mihaela
I took some really rough notes, but I think I got most of it:
One quote he gave that I managed to jot down was: “Product design is being able to tell a story.” Therefore, your profile should follow that same guidelines. Tell a story. He stressed this at LEAST fifteen times.
From here I’m just going to bullet point it (Sorry, there is quite a lot):
-Good design is key (don’t be flamboyant with your art if you want a good UX portfolio, STORY)
-He looks through portfolios generally in 45 seconds (Woowza) but if you manage to capture his attention through perhaps a STORY then he may stay for a few minutes browsing. He also checks for titles and also jobs you have held in the past. Those get you brownie points if they are good.
-He wants to see people who have specializations and that are truthful about what they can and cannot do. (Don’t say you can do everything and then stumble when asked about it. It looks bad and is bad in all kinds of business senses)
-If you can be a User Centered Designer then you are considered the Unicorn in the UX profession
-Make your portfolio pieces PROJECT based.
–When organizing your portfolio pieces put your best foot forward (that is Best to worst projects)
–A lot of UX designers (and designers in general) fall into the trop of having such a large client/user base that they get complacent and designer for everyone and their mothers. Not caring for the specifications. YOU NEED TO CARE. It is what sets us apart.