UI/UX Articles and Interesting Tidbits of the Week
September//28//2018
Here are some interesting finds on UI/UX of the week!
1.https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2018/09/dark-patterns-and-other-design-no-nos-for-mobile/
Dark Patterns on Mobile. A very relevant article from Smashing Magazine focused on disruptive patterns applied in product design. These are patterns that surpass the mobile context, and can be applied to product design in general independently of the platform being contemplated. It includes patterns such as Bait and Switch, Confirmshaming, Disguised Ads, among others, all of these defined and contextualized with different examples. Highlight of the article includes:
“This type of dark pattern occurs when someone signs up for a “free” trial, but is required to share credit card information during the intake process. Then, when the trial period ends, their credit card is charged without warning. For users that don’t pay attention to these kinds of things and assume that brands won’t take advantage of them, this form of deception will definitely not go over well. In addition to losing the trust and business of these users, your business could be penalized if a credit card company or local business bureau gets involved.”
2.https://www.invisionapp.com/inside-design/ux-research-mobile-app/
UX Research and Mobile App Design. Article hailing from the Invision Design Blog, focused on the importance of UX Research as a means to create memorable, engaging and sticky product experiences (and also, according to UX qualities, desirable, findable and credible ones). The article focuses on the usefulness of research, and how it plays a crucial role in defining directions, and ultimately gaining clarity, as the process begins. Highlight of the article includes:
“The point of UX research is to ensure you’re staying on track at every stage of project development. It’s about observing and understanding your users, and using that knowledge to design a great app. To begin, you need a clear understanding of the overall project: the app’s purpose, the target audience, the company’s goals, and the problem it’s trying to solve. This information forms the foundation of your build and is crucial to solidify before you start. From there, you can dig into the specific features that will give your target audience an optimal experience.”
3.https://icons8.com/articles/ux-design-onboarding-mobile-app/
Onboarding for Mobile Apps. Another great article on the subject of Onboarding. The article focuses on the structure of effective onboarding experiences (namely, Greeting, Information, Engagement), and also types of onboarding and best tips for a successful journey in that domain. Highlight:
“Basically the term origins from HR sphere: it marks techniques and approaches whose aim is to help newcomers quickly adapt to the new conditions so that they could perform well. The area of user experience design took the idea together with the term. In UX design, onboarding is a set of techniques and interactions aimed at comforting users and give the initial introduction of the product. As the Material Design guide states: Onboarding is one point in a longer journey that begins in the app store and ends with the user taking the first key retention-correlated action in your app.”
