my process
I have learned and adapted my process from the Kent State LUMEN model: Learn , Understand , iMagine , Evaluate , and iNform .
I have been able to use this method to improve the process of research and design at OnShift and have started writing about what I've learned on Medium.
Research / Pre-Design
- 1) Learn
- I dive into research to learn about my users, user issues, and context of the project. During this step, I might suggest detailed research, interviews, and / or competitive analyses.
- 2) Understand
- After Learning about my users, the next step I take is to compile that research to understand how to continue on the project. I might create tangible pieces of work - such as personas and / or journey maps - that showcase and utilize the knowledge learned. I use the compiled research to inform the design principles used throughout the process.
Design & Testing
- 3) iMagine
- After working through the Learning and Understanding phases, it's time to start designing solutions for the task at hand. While I might have sketched some basic solution ideas during the Understanding phase, this is the time to deep-dive into the potential solutions. These strategies and designs will inform the engineering teams who will execute the designs.
- 4) Evaluate
- One of my favorite parts of the design process is to talk with customers and Evaluate designs with usability studies and other tools. As the design evolves, I believe it's important to keep testing to ensure the design is operating smoothly... and as intended. Based on the results, adjustments can then be made to improve the final outcome. (And re-iMagine as necessary.)
- 5) iNform
- I frequently say (un-ironically) that I love documentation, and while this step is listed last in the process, it's never the actual last step in my process. I work hard to ensure my entire team (from Product Owner to Tech Lead and Developers to QA) is informed about how a design I create will meet a user's needs regardless of where we are in the project's life cycle. I try to keep up my documentation throughout a project, and always take time to document a design's effectiveness and share the results with the team.