Application design project 2

Wang Zilong 0361141

Application design 

Bachelor of design in creative media

Project 2

INTRUCTION

Feedback

Card sorting is a method used in user experience (UX) and application design to organize information and understand how users categorize and prioritize content.It's a valuable method for gaining insight into users' mental models and preferences, which can help designers create more intuitive and user-friendly interfaces.

Redesigning an app is not only a creative process, but also a task that requires rigorous data support and in-depth understanding of users. In this process, we will use tools such as questionnaires, card sorting, user portraits, and user journey maps to ensure that the design results can meet user needs and improve user experience. This article will detail how to use these tools to redesign an app.

1. Questionnaire Survey

1.1 Goal Setting

Questionnaire surveys are an effective way to collect user feedback and needs. When redesigning an application, you first need to determine the goal of the survey, such as understanding user satisfaction with the existing application, identifying their pain points and needs, and exploring their expected functions.

1.2 Designing Questionnaires

Question types: including closed questions (such as single choice, multiple choice) and open questions (such as free response). Closed questions can quickly quantify data, while open questions can provide deeper insights.

Question Setting: When designing questions, make sure to be concise and avoid leading questions. Questions can be set to understand the user's basic information, usage habits, satisfaction, and functional requirements.

1.3 Data Analysis

By analyzing the questionnaire results, identify the user's main needs and pain points. This data will become the basis for the redesign and help ensure that the design direction meets the expectations of actual users.

2. Card Sorting

2.1 Method Introduction

Card sorting is a user research method used to understand how users organize and classify information. This is very useful for redesigning the interface structure and information architecture of the application.

2.2 Execution steps

Prepare cards: Write the main functions or information points in the application on cards, and each card represents a function or information.

User participation: Invite target users to participate in card sorting, ask them to group the cards according to their own understanding, and name each group.

Analysis results: According to the user's classification results, identify the user's habits and preferences for information organization. This can help us optimize the navigation structure and menu layout of the application.

2.3 Application card sorting results

Through card sorting, we can redesign the navigation system of the application to make it more in line with the user's way of thinking and improve the usability and ease of use of the application.

3. User portrait (Persona)

3.1 Goal setting

User portrait is a virtual role that describes the target user of the application. By creating a detailed user portrait, it can help the design team better understand the needs and behavior patterns of the target users.

3.2 Create user portraits

Collect data: Collect data about the user's basic information, usage habits, motivations and pain points through questionnaires, user interviews and market research.

Define characteristics: Based on the collected data, define the key characteristics of the user portrait, such as age, occupation, interests, needs and behavior habits. Create a detailed background story for each persona.

Present the persona: Present the persona to the design team in a concise format, such as through pictures, short descriptions, and a list of key requirements.

3.3 Apply the persona

During the redesign process, the design team can refer to the persona to ensure that design decisions meet the needs and expectations of actual users. The persona helps design features and interfaces that better match the characteristics of the target users.

4. User Journey Map

4.1 Goal Setting

A user journey map is a visual tool used to depict each step and experience of a user in the process of using an application. Through the user journey map, we can identify the pain points and opportunities that users encounter during the process.

4.2 Create a user journey map

Define user scenarios: Identify the main tasks and goals that users complete in the application, such as purchasing a product, sending a message, finding information, etc.

Draw the steps: Draw the steps that users take to complete each task, including the actions, emotional experiences, and pain points of each step.

Identify pain points: By analyzing the user journey map, identify the difficulties and frustration points that users encounter during the process of using the application.

4.3 Applying User Journey Maps

User journey maps can help us understand the user's operation process and experience more clearly, so that we can solve the problems faced by users in a targeted manner during redesign and optimize the user experience.

Group teamwork

After our group discussion, we mainly divided into five parts, which is personal, exchange, guide, ticket and experience. What we have to do is to put ourselves in the shoes of consumers, put their needs first, and experience and design from my perspective as a user.

Project 2 slide

Reflection

Card sorting

Studying card sorting methods has been an enlightening journey into the intricacies of user experience design. Through this exploration, I've come to appreciate the profound impact that understanding user cognition and behavior can have on creating intuitive and effective interfaces. Card sorting offers a structured approach to unraveling the complexities of information organization, revealing how users perceive and categorize content.

Engaging with this method has underscored the importance of user-centered design principles in crafting applications that resonate with their intended audience. By observing how participants group and prioritize content, designers can glean valuable insights into users' mental models and preferences, informing more informed design decisions.

Moreover, the iterative nature of card sorting encourages a dynamic and collaborative design process, where feedback from users drives continuous refinement and improvement. Overall, studying card sorting methods has deepened my understanding of the symbiotic relationship between user needs and design outcomes, emphasizing the pivotal role of empathy and user-centricity in creating impactful digital experiences.