UI/UX Articles and Interesting Tidbits of the Week
January//12//2024
Here are some interesting finds on UI/UX of the week!
1.
Cultivating a Prototyping Culture. Nikolas Klein and Garrett Miller wrote this article for the Figma blog and it details the importance of building a prototyping culture across various organizations, what that actually entails, its benefits and impacts. This is something that for many Designers and even Product specialists may seem self-evident, but it’s worth reading through the article as a healthy reminder to the benefits that it brings in terms of validation, cost effectiveness, iterative cycles, and even team build up that is strengthened as a result of this type of activity. Highlight of the article includes:
“To foster a culture of prototyping, organizations must prioritize time and resources to develop these skills. The goal is to integrate prototyping seamlessly into the workflow, making it a fun and essential aspect rather than a hindrance. The shift from viewing prototyping as an optional final step to an integral part of the design process is crucial for companies focused on design-driven product development. Building a thriving culture requires full buy-in at every level. Individual contributors should aspire to master prototyping skills, while leadership needs to recognize and advocate for its value in efficiency and decision-making. If those groups aren’t aligned, then the whole effort will fall flat (kind of like a non-interactive prototype). Leadership should create time and space for prototyping, and explicitly ask teams to build this step into their process.”
2.
Global Consumer Trends for 2024. While this article from Moira Dorsey is in reality an appetizer for a larger report crafted by Qualtrics, it’s nonetheless well worth reading through. Some of the trends that are shared include Human Connection and its ties with AI, Great Service beating Low Prices (when it comes to brand loyalty), the evident weakness in Digital Support, and New Ways to Capture Users’ Feedback (since they also don’t communicate it as they used to). The article also alludes to how Technology can empower better ways to listen to what consumers/users are actually saying (which is of course a plug for Qualtrics services), but it is nonetheless very evidently demonstrated even through Social Media (and Social Media Proof). Highlight of the article includes:
“Take note, you’ll need to go beyond low prices to increase consumer spending in 2024 because there’s more important things to consumers than saving money. That’s right, low prices are not the primary differentiator for consumers when making purchase decisions. Our research found organizations with a great reputation for customer experience are best positioned to win share of wallet, even in a down economy. Product quality and customer service ranked 1st and 2nd, respectively, while low prices ranked 3rd.”
3.
Research Repository. James Vihn’s article for the Dovetail blog is a pertinent and always relevant reminder of the power of an effective Research Repository. Speaking from a personal perspective, in many of the professional engagements I’ve had, the lack of a centralized Research hub has at times crippling impacts on better understanding products ebbs and flows, users’ feedback, analytics, amongst other documentation that is produced and needed for an effective ideation path. The article itemizes some of the advantages of having a Research Repository, including Onboarding New Team Members, Sharing Research with Stakeholders, and Leveling Up the Organization’s Research Discipline. Well worth reading through. Highlight of the article includes:
“Research repositories make findings more accessible, retrievable, and approachable. Rather than waiting for a calendar invite for a share-out meeting or bugging a user researcher via email, repositories unleash the ability for colleagues and management to self-service insights. Offering an easy way for stakeholders to consume research can contribute to a culture where stakeholders are empowered to seek it out, increasing the chance they will see the right insights at the right time. Colleagues can revisit and explore research at their own pace and style. The breaking down of silos and increased transparency also contributes greater trust among research teams and their partners.”
