What is UX ?
Demystifying UX
Ahh UX.... User Experience Design, Research and Strategy is more than some trait that saavy web designers have. To become a UX'er takes a mindset that is different than most people realize. It is not: "best practices"; "whipping up wireframes"; and definitely not a design based on an assumption. Everyone thinks they can do UX. Why not? Everyone has an opinion. Everyone wants to be involved and everyone has stake in the product. Historically the term UX came to be from product development processes that were proven. Anyone involved in UX should intrinsically understand UCD methodologies that comprise UX. Minimize biases as a product stakeholder and evangelize on studying the success of the users.
User Centered Design
The Purist form of User Experience
UX design methodologies were influenced by UCD (User Centered Design) and collaborative iterative design processes that began in the '60s and '70s. UCD has roots from design thinking, participatory design and cooperative design. Artists, architects, inventors and scientists have practiced this method of product innovation. The process consists of discovery where problems are defined, solutions proposed, development team-work and an evaluation.
Lean UX
A Lean Iterative Approach
The Lean UX Process is used for a quick UX study with rapid exercises, prototyping and a simpler set of studies. Some of the same exercises from the full blown UX practice may exist but with quick deadlines approaching and less resources available this may be the optimal solution. Can be used in sprint agile methodologies. Reference Jeff Gothelf "Lean UX" and Michael Vaughn "Defined Understanding"
UX Process
An Extensive UCD Approach
The full UX Process is an extensive UX study. Resources are made available to the UX team, various department initiatives are clarified, stakeholder and user relationships are created, agile methodologies are scheduled and development timelines are created. The complexities of a product or solution are extracted, analyzed and processed.
Google Ventures Design Sprint
Based on Google Ventures 5 Day Design Sprint
Put team of 5 innovators in a room for 5 days, a white board, coffee, snacks, pencils, stickers, stickies, no cell phones, 1 laptop and a lot of faith and you too may have the next enterprise solution.