Comments on: The Biggest Mistake New UX Designers Make

By: Blaise YEBOUE

Blaise YEBOUE — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 09:38:59 +0000

Very interesting article.
The respect of the whole process is the key of success in UX Design.
Thanks you for Sharing your experience.

By: Luke Chambers

Luke Chambers — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 04:49:38 +0000

In reply to Leeza. Thanks for sharing that story, Leeza. Visual dominance changes the way we think!

By: Leeza

Leeza — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 04:35:47 +0000

Great article!
I am just starting out in the UX field and have little experience this far. However, I did make a website for my mom’s cakeshop and made the exact same mistake you mentioned all new UX designers make. I focused on making it look pretty. Only after learning the theory and reading articles like these did I realise that an aesthetic site will not attract footfall needed for business.
I think many of us get caught up with making the website more about EVERYTHING we can offer rather than just everything users actually come looking for. Surely something to keep in mind.
Thanks Matt!

By: Matthew Magain

Matthew Magain — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 04:06:19 +0000

In reply to Shital.

Too true Shital—I also was guilty back in the day of assuming that a survey on its own would suffice. This David Attenborough quote comes to mind, as it could be used to describe developers and users.

“I mean, it is an extraordinary thing that a large proportion of your country and my country, of the citizens, never see a wild creature from dawn ’til dusk, unless it’s a pigeon, which isn’t really wild, which might come and settle near them.”

We need to get out and see those wild creatures! :D

By: Matthew Magain

Matthew Magain — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 04:00:42 +0000

In reply to Malcolm Gunn. Thanks Malcolm! You're spot on—content is not only easier to create/compile after you've done some user research, but will end up being more relevant and relatable. Surveys and interviews are a great place to start (and cheap to do) and can provide great insights.

By: Shital

Shital — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 08:13:34 +0000

Wonderful article, just brings back old memories when I read this. The biggest mistake that I made in my first project was ignoring (taking them very lightly) the users. Fortunately, that project was part of my thesis at Stanford so did not cost me in terms of $$$. When I was supposed to observe and do my user research, I sent out surveys and questionnaires and avoided going out in field and interviewing them. I totally ignored the famous saying in UX that users say something and do something altogether different. I still come across so many people who take user research for granted and my only advice to them is spend as much time possible in interacting and observing users, development does not take much time. Starting on wrong foot is going to delay the project as it is and cost you $$$$.

By: Malcolm Gunn

Malcolm Gunn — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 22:35:06 +0000

Great article, Matt. The other advantage of starting with the end (user) in mind is that it makes developing the content – text, images, links, etc. – more focused and straightforward to compile.

For example, in my current site redesign project I analysed a range of sources (client strategies, existing website, industry keywords, etc.) and sent a quick survey, helping me understand potential visitor interests. I created three broad audience personas and analysed the data through these perspectives. I then interviewed persona “representatives” for anecdotal information; understanding what sort of language to use and to give the visual designer a really useful brief. With this cheap, quick approach I was then able to outline and partially write 20 pages in one day!

With cost savings and improved customer experience as rewards, it should be easy to get across the power of this business intelligence – not just for the system being redesigned or improved but for the business/organisation in general.

Keep up the interesting articles.