Ideate and Test
Once there is clarity on the problem being solved and the user’s needs, the next phase in the UX process is generating different possible solutions that will meet business needs and user needs, and that will be technically feasible. Here, divergent thinking comes into play with the ideal starting point being to create a high volume of ideas through sketching and experimentation. Over time, these ideas get down-selected and refined through feedback and design critiques. This is the process of converging — narrowing down the possible approaches to one or two to develop further and test. The concepts will iteratively become higher fidelity — perhaps starting with paper prototypes — before moving on to digital wireframes and clickable prototypes in tools such as Adobe XD.
Preferably, ideas for solutions are being tested as they are iteratively refined. For example, a UX designer might start by quickly testing paper prototypes guerrilla style by running some informal usability tests with colleagues or family and friends. This is a quick way to validate the general direction and key aspects of the solution such as flow, language, and interaction patterns. As the concepts become more refined, more formalized testing with a recruited target audience can help to ensure that there are no usability issues. During this phase, the transition to building the product may begin, building interactive front end prototypes to test with, or starting to prepare back end infrastructure needed to develop the product.
Must haves for this phase:
- A volume of low-fidelity ideas on paper or whiteboard
- Testing concepts with users
- Confidence that usability issues have been eliminated
Wireframes
Lo Fidelity Comps
