Ux in Real life
Early Seeds of UX
From Backyard Detective to UX Researcher
Even as a young child, i found myself naturally drawn to problem-solving and understanding human behavior.
A prime example is a detective case i took on at the age of 8. Armed with a single USB cable as a clue , i embarked on a journey of deduction and hypothesis testing . I interviewed the 'suspect' (akin to a user interview) , analyzed and mentally simulated her behavior (similar to cognitive walkthrough), and ultimately 'solved' the case.
This early experience ignited my passion for understanding user needs and behavior, which later led me to pursue a career in the UX field.
How it relates to User Experience?
User Research
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Interviewing Users: Questioned the "suspects" to gather information.
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Observing User Behavior: Analyzed the physical (broken iPod, bent USB, broken clip) to understand the sequence of events, much like observing user interactions with a product.
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User Intent: Mentally simulated the suspect's actions and motivations.
User Empathy
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Understanding User Needs and Goals: Tried to understand the motivations and intentions of the 'suspect'.
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Considering User Experience: Considered the emotional impact of the incident on the "victim".
Problem-Solving
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Identifying the Problem: Recognizing the problem of a broken Ipod and a missing USB cable.
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Breaking down the problem: Systematically analyzed the clues and evidence.
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Formulating Hypotheses: I developed theories about the culprit's motivations and actions.
While these skills might not be directly applicable to every UX project, they highlight the ability to solve problems, show empathy towards users, and understand human behavior.
I feel these are some essential qualities for holistic user-centered approach.
A User-Centered Approach to Collaborative Design
Real-world Application of a UX principle
During a recent group project, I encountered a common challenge in collaborative design: Lack of communication. Despite deadline being on the same week , team members became increasingly non-responsive, Delaying discussion meetings ,hindering project progress. Recognizing the potential impact on the project's success, i took the initiative to drive the project forward .
Inspired by Jakob Nielsen's heuristic principle of "Recognition Rather than Recall", I simplified the decision-making process for them by clearly defining tasks into numerical and asking them to just pick numbers between 1,2,3,4,& 5 . By breaking down the project into smaller, actionable steps and providing a clear structure , I empowered the team to contribute effectively . This approach minimized cognitive load and encouraged participation, ultimately leading to a successful project outcome.
By applying these principles, i was able to overcome challenges, motivate my team, and deliver a successful project.
Key Actions
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User-Centered Approach : Applied Nielsen's heuristic principle to simplify the decision-making process for my teammates.
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Problem-Solving: Identified the problem of a lack of participation and developed a solution.
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Proactive Approach: Took the initiative to drive the project forward.
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Teamwork and Collaboration: Fostered a collaborative environment, even when faced with challenges.
