Gamification, mental models, bodystorming, sketchboarding, Lean UX, service design. In an industry changing as quickly as UX design it's sometimes hard to stay on top of all the latest terms and trends. At Adaptive Path we have taken it upon ourselves to compile a list of some of the latest innovations that we feel will shape the UX field in 2011.
Etch-A-Sketch wireframing: We UX designers pride ourselves on the fact that we don't have to rely on digital tools. At any given moment we are willing to grab a sharpie, white board marker, notebook or etch-a-sketch to give form to our wildest ideas. Why use Photoshop when the best analog design tools have been around since 1960? (A Lite Brite is also excellent tool for illustrating product roadmaps.)
Responsive Embodied Active Listening (REAL): As UX designers we like to put ourselves in the shoes of our users. Along with bodystorming, we often engage in an empathy strategy known as REAL Design. During research interviews this involves not just listening with our ears but our full body. Strike a pose and connect with the emotions expressed in the subtext of the user's words.
Artisanal Prototyping: A person, a product, a passion. These are at the heart of artisanal prototyping. We take pride in workmanship, small production batches, and the brilliance that comes from slowly savoring each pixel. Humility cannot be rushed, so expect a gestation period of at least 6-12 months before you will be able to use an artisanal prototype in any kind of user testing.
Parkour Design Sprints: The notion of Lean UX or the incorporation of Agile methods into UX design has created quite a buzz in the field lately. But we wouldn't be designers if we didn't add our own stylish flair to the process (I mean, what other group of people wears glasses like we do?). Our take on Agile design, otherwise known as Parkour Design Sprints, combines fast, flexible, and iterative design with jumping, climbing, vaulting, rolling, wall scaling and negotiating obstacles like dumpsters and Mini Coopers. Parkour Design Sprints can be practiced anywhere, but areas dense with obstacles and post-its are preferable and it is most commonly practiced in urban areas. Parkour Design Sprints is the new black.
Kidstorming: Engage the youngest, freshest minds in your design process through a method known as Kidstorming. Gather participants (we’ve found that children ages 2-6 yields the most innovative responses), bring a few boxes of crayons, and let the spirit of the untainted minds flow. In this method interpretation is key. An inspired composition of red and purple squiggles may represent a tiger, a dinosaur or, looking deeper, can be interpreted as an idea for how to aggressively combat your competition in the market. This method can last anywhere from 30 seconds to 20 minutes, depending on participants. Bring snacks.
Karaoke Power Point: The hard work of the design process is done and now it's time to present the results to the client. Executives love a good Power Point presentation but nothing captures their attention like ROI metrics set to '80's hair metal. Grab a mic and sell that multi-channel experience. Guaranteed you'll get extra points with the CEO if you air guitar while belting: "Take my hand and we'll make it I swear, Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer!"
Kinetic Koncepting™: Ideating while engaging in transformative play…like dodgeball. Nothing gets concepts flowing like a swift ball to the head (traditional rules of play may not apply). Other great Kinetic Koncepting activities include SPUD, scooterboard soccer, and floor hockey.
Horizontal Background Processing: An independent design process that puts your brain to work solving deep, difficult problems. Research shows that active problem-solving is best supplemented with background problem-solving: letting your brain explore a problem using your unconcious mind. Best performed in a horizontal position with your eyes gently closed. The consistent use of HBP (ideally 20 minutes sprints throughout the day) delivers a surprising amount of energy and an overall sense of well-being. The mantra: “No problem, I can solve it with my eyes closed!”
Micro-scoping: Problem too big for your budget? Micro-scoping is the answer. In Micro-scoping, the entire description of the design problem must fit on a 75mm x 25mm glass slide. This ensures that the design team can successfully accomplish the entire scope of the specimen. Related to MVP strategy in Agile. Added bonus: Project documentation fits neatly within a small box for easy storage and reference. Note that scientific equipment is needed for review.
Sudoku Prioritization: Prioritization is one of the most critical parts of successful strategy. You can prioritize up to nine different items with this method. To prep, buy copies of the local daily paper, one for each participant in the prioritization session. Cut out the “Today’s Sudoku Puzzle” (don’t use online versions; do what you can to save the newspaper industry.) Number the items to be prioritized from 1-9. Gather the team and review the items for prioritization. Distribute the puzzles and give people 15 minutes to solve it. People work independently. The person who solves the puzzle first gets to order the items in whatever way they desire.
Know of others? We'd love to hear them. Feel free to add your own or use the twitter hash tag #FAUXdesign.
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