UI/UX Articles And Interesting Tidbits Of The Week
February//28//2020
Here are some interesting finds on UI/UX of the week!
1.
Usability Testing at Uptech. The topic of Research and Usability Testing is one with so many interesting articles and books written on it. This article looks at how an agency goes through their Usability Testing processes, in order to gain insights into the validity of their product solutions. It’s worth a read, if nothing else for the fact that in provides insight into how a particular organization embraces the importance and impact that effective Usability Testing has on the Design Thinking process. And as a reminder, Usability Testing methods (quantitative ones) include: Quantitative Usability Testing (or Benchmarking), A/B Testing or Multivariate Testing, Tree Testing, Card Sorting, Web Analytics, Surveys and Questionnaires, Clustering Qualitative Comments, Eyetracking Testing and Desirability Studies. Highlight of the article includes:
“One of the most efficient methods is called ‘rapid prototyping’. It requires a low-fidelity paper prototype and iterative testing. When testing with minimum design, we gather the whole team and draw as many different variations as possible. Each member of the team then votes for the idea he or she liked best. Based on the voting, we combine the selected options and create a pre-final version of the prototype. If any part of the prototype doesn’t work during user testing, we take out our drafts and consider other ideas.”
2.
SEO and Web Driven Product Solutions. Another article from Smashing Magazine and author Suzanne Scacca. This one is focused specifically on SEO and how important this topic is when building Web focused products. Search Optimization is a crucial/differentiating factor in getting web products relevant and discoverable (and as Designers, is imperative we always keep in mind the qualities of good UX, which include focus on topics such as: being usable, useful, findable, desirable, credible and accessible). Worth a read for all the suggestions it lays forth. Highlight of the article includes:
“Google is a demanding overlord and we must appease it if we want our websites to reach the top of search. And what that means is taking a well-rounded approach to SEO throughout the lifecycle of the website design and development process. If you haven’t accounted for this already or you want to make sure you’ve covered all the bases in what you currently do, this post is for you. I’m going to run through when and how SEO needs to enter the picture in your workflow. In addition, I’ve included an SEO checklist at the bottom of this post that you and your team can adapt to your workflow.”
3.
UX Dark Patterns. There’s quite a few articles on this topic, and I’ve highlighted a few in the past. The most common UX Dark Patterns include, Scarcity, Urgency, Misdirection, Forced Action, Social Proof, Obstruction and Sneaking. These are strategies that invariably lead users on paths that are less than transparent, and that can produce all sorts of issues. This article sheds some additional light on this topic. Highlight of the article includes:
“Trick Questions — While filling in a form you respond to a question that tricks you into giving an answer you didn’t intend. When glanced upon quickly the question appears to ask one thing, but when read carefully it asks another thing entirely. Sneak into Basket — You attempt to purchase something, but somewhere in the purchasing journey the site sneaks an additional item into your basket, often through the use of an opt-out radio button or checkbox on a prior page.”
