7 Ways To Improve User Experience

Sixty answers before this have probably already helped you understand that a UX designer with what skills should be classified as “good”, but let's get the formula of a good designer one more time. Repetition is the mother of learning, as they say. To begin with, “good” is a rather vague concept, let's use the term “competent”. So, let's get down to business.

A competent UX designer should have knowledge and skills in such categories as:

1. User Research
2. Information Architecture
3. Interaction Design
4. Visual Design
5. Interface Prototyping
6. UX Leadership
7. Technical Writing

So, User Research. Let's be honest, without understanding the needs and visions of the customer, the design you created in rare cases will be able to satisfy the client. And this is not because you are not “good” or incompetent, it is because people's views are often different.

Therefore, do not get angry if the client asks for something to be redone, it is worth understanding his desires and starting from them in his work. Discuss everything to the smallest detail. So simple.

Information Architecture. It is important to understand that you do not create a design for yourself and ideas that you, as a designer understand, can be a dark forest for ordinary consumers. In this case, the information architecture makes it possible to master the principles of systematization of information and navigation to help users more successfully find and process the data and information they need.

Interaction design. UX designers need interactive design skills in the first place to create an attractive user interface, focusing on understanding the behavior of the product. This, in turn, allows the user to interact with the context of the products/services, that is, makes the product/service usable.

A competent designer always asks questions: is my product convenient to use? How do my users see the site? What is the general framework for solving specific design problems, and how can I apply them to create a unique product?

Visual Design. Visual design is just as interactive as it is, and your job as a designer is to use colors, shapes, fonts and the use of visual cues correctly. What for? Again, to provide a pleasant user experience.

Interface Prototyping. It sounds scary, but in fact, it is a visual master plan that allows everyone who participates in the project to express their opinion and make the necessary adjustments before publishing the final version.

Why use prototypes? Well, customers love to see them. Development teams love to use them, and everyone involved in the project can add input.

UX Leadership. Well, that’s all clear. UX leadership helps initiate UX practice, motivation, provides UX leadership, and down the list. It helps with proper project management and problem-solving.

Technical Writing. But you ask, why I’m writing about tech and software skills only now and bring it in the last place. Yes, they are incredibly important for creating a quality product, but without an understanding of the fundamental principles described above, they are unlikely to bring the right result. Technical writing skills allow designers to briefly express complex ideas, help users complete tasks, and make design accessible and users friendly.