UI/UX Articles and Interesting Tidbits of the Week
May//7//2021
Here are some interesting finds on UI/UX of the week!
1.
Activity Ideas for Remote Design Workshops. Excellent read. This article focuses on activities which can be performed when conducting remote design driven workshops. They include Brainstorming activities, Storyboarding exercises, Roleplaying, Creating Fishbone Diagrams, Journey Mapping, among many others. What these activities and devices illustrate, is the need to collaborate and break down barriers between people, and allow for the sharing of information and observations to be free flowing. Well worth reading through these exercises. Highlight of the article includes:
“This is inspired by Walt Disney’s approach to projects. Divide your board into three sections labeled “the dreamer,” “the realist,” and “the critic.” You’ll take the whole group through each section in the following order that order. Start with the dreaming and imagination section by allowing the team to share lots of ideas with no restrictions or criticism. The goal is to generate many ideas without worrying about how feasible or realistic they are. Next, take on the realist’s approach by thinking more logically and creating an action plan for bringing the ideas to life. Finally, adopt the critic’s mindset by examining your ideas and considering barriers or weaknesses.”
2.
Designing Error Messages. Very thorough article from author Michael Craig on the topic of error messages. As I’ve mentioned in articles before, Product Designers and their teams, should always account for the different scenarios users encounter when using any type of digitally driven solution, including blank states, loading, success, error and incomplete ones. This article sheds clarity on some best practices on how to carve good error messages, including Being Clear and Specific, Avoiding Jargon, Crafting Messages that take into consideration factors such as Accessibility, to name but a few. Highlight of the article includes:
“In the above example, Chase Bank avoids using phrases like “you did” or “you failed to do,” and instead, takes the blame gracefully, explaining that they “can’t find” the missing information. Chase then proceeds to provide additional steps to help the user recover their information. It’s important to remember that users form an opinion of your company based on how they experience your product or service. Blaming them for issues, even if they are their fault, is a quick way to lose customers. By designing error messages that convey information in a positive, encouraging way, you improve your product’s overall user experience, and empower them to overcome any issues encountered.”
3.
Empathy and Customer Experience. Very pertinent reflection on the Customer Experience cycle, particular in our current days, where the pandemic exacerbated new channels in which users and consumers interact with brands. This article sheds light on the fact that consumers these days want to engage with brands with whom they feel a connection that goes beyond simply delivering a product they may need. And that also implies organizations having more empathy with their clients, enhancing their social and ethical awareness. Well worth a read. Highlight of the article includes:
“The customer experience gap is centered on a customer’s expectations and the brand’s inability to meet those expectations: Brands believe they are delivering a top-notch customer service, while consumers report a less than satisfactory brand experience. The concept is not new. More than five years ago, research showed that 85% of brands believed they were delivering exemplary customer experiences, while less than 65% of customers were happy with brand experiences.”
