UX PROTOTYPING AND PERSONASHere early? While we’re waiting for the others...
We'll use a communal Google Doc to pass links easily amongstthe class. Open .http://j.mp/proto-nov-14
1. Open 2. This is a demo version of Balsamiq, one of the tools we'll be
using today. Take some time to explore and familiarizeyourself with it. What UI elements are provided? How would you be able to use a screenshot of your website as abackground and then change one feature?
http://webdemo.balsamiq.com/
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UX PROTOTYPING AND PERSONASEssential tools for creating great user experiences
WHO AM I?Shilpa Thanawala
@skthana
YOUR TURNIntroduce your neighbor
namerole, indep or agencydesigner or developer backgroundexperience in prototyping & how you think prototyping can beuseful to you
WHAT IS A PROTOTYPE?A simulation of how a product or feature will work
Practice for people who build things
PROTOTYPES VERSUS...SketchesWireframesStoryboardsMockups
WHY?
BENEFITS OF PROTOTYPINGExplore your ideasInnovateCollaborateGet everyone on the same pagePersuadeTest assumptionsReduce riskSaves time / effort / money
WHEN?As early as possibleThroughout the design and development process
WHAT’S THE GOAL?What question are you trying to answer?How will the video library work?
Will users have problems filling in this form?
What are the possible user pathways through this interface?
Generate ideasFoster collaborationConvince team, stakeholders, clients... etc.
FIDELITYHow closely a prototype models reality
visual designinteractionenvironmentcontent and datasocial...others?
CHOOSE THE RIGHT LEVEL OF FIDELITY IN EACH AREAWhat’s your objective?
Who’s your audience?
PROTOTYPING TOOLS
WHAT KINDS OF TOOLS DO PEOPLE USE?PaperHTML / CSS (hand-coded or WYSIWYG generated)Clickable screen imagemaps in HTMLSoftware-generated ( , , , ,
, etc.)PowerPoint / Keynote / Online tools ( , , , , ...)...many others (Acrobat, Rails, Java, Excel, Filemaker ...)
Balsamiq Fireworks Visio AxureOmnigraffle
ImpressiRise Solidify Moqups ProtoShare Proto
HOW TO CHOOSE?familiarity (or learning curve)availabilitycostcapability to create a usable prototypebuilt-in tools (UI elements, interactivity)collaborative capabilitesaudience & distribution
TESTING YOUR PROTOTYPES
USABILITY TESTINGWhat are we trying to learn about the experience of your users?
Roles
FacilitatorTesterObserver(s)
THE FACILITATORExplains the testing processSets expectationsGuides the Tester throughAsks questions during & after testing
THE TESTERUsually, best if unfamiliar with your productIdeally, representative of your target marketCustomary to compensate Testers for their time
THE OBSERVERSSimply watch, listen, and take notesDon’t interact directly with TesterIdeally, all stakeholders and team membersIn another room, watching video and audioIf no observers, then it’s you!
THE TESTING SESSION3-5 Testers30-45 minutes each, with short breaksClear tasks or objectivesDiscuss and evaluate results right afterward
Categorize results based on the original goal(s)Separate unexpected or extra results so as not to getsidetracked
RINSE AND REPEATMake improvements, create a new prototype, test again
PAPER PROTOTYPING
EXAMPLES
Paper prototype of a game
Credit: Derek Lee / YouTube.com
View online
EXAMPLES
Paper prototype of blood-testing kiosk
Credit: lukenwarm / YouTube.com
View online
EXAMPLES
Paper prototype of a kids’ website
Credit: BlueDuckLabs / YouTube.com
View online
PAPER PROTOTYPING: ADVANTAGESFastCheapNo special software skills neededEncourages collaboration (in person)Can model a wide variety of interfaces and interactionsCan modify during the test
PAPER PROTOTYPING: DISADVANTAGESHarder to collaborate with remote or distributed teams
PAPER PROTOTYPING TOOLKITEssentials: paper and pen
Nice-to-Haves:
heavy cardstock or construction paper, tracing paper orvellumpens, markers, highlighters, colored pencils, charcoal pencilseraserssticky notesre-stickable tape and labelsglue / glue-sticksindex cardscardboardcutting toolsprinted UI elements and device frames
TIME TO BUILD YOUR OWN
CHALLENGE 1: PAPER PROTOTYPINGPrototype a login / register process for a website on asmartphone.
Goal / Purpose - to plan out the login process flow
Include the following features:
Login flowCreate a new accountWrong username or passwordReset passwordLogin using social media (Google, Facebook, Twitter)
Bonus:What changes when the phone is oriented in landscape mode?Suppose this login is for a music-based website (Pandora, Spotify). What does an existing user see uponsuccessful login?What does a new user see just after account creation?Try prototyping these screens.
BALSAMIQ
BALSAMIQ: ADVANTAGESFastNo special software skills neededLarge library of UI elementsCan be used for remote collaborationHand-drawn look encourages focus on layout & functionalityAutomatically stores revision historyIntegrates with other online apps (Jira, Google Drive)
BALSAMIQ: DISADVANTAGESNot meant for high visual design fidelityNot designed for complex UI interactionsNot free
EXAMPLE
Balsamiq prototype for an iPhone interface
Credit: AppsForGood / YouTube.com
View online
DEMO
YOUR TURN
CHALLENGE 2: PROTOTYPING WITH BALSAMIQCreate a prototype for an airline’s website reservationfunctionality on a tablet.
Goal: Simulate interaction flow
Include:
Search for flightsSpecialsBonus: Add features -- check flight status, online check-in
OR, prototype a small part of an ecommerce website showingdresses. Include the option to recommend items via social media.
PERSONAS
WHAT IS A PERSONA?A fictional character developed to accurately and realisticallyrepresent one type of user your product is designed to serve.
WHY USE PERSONAS?A way to distill the goals and desires of the users you serve,make them memorable and humanTalk about product features as they relate to a specific personinstead of “The User”Focus the user experience your productPrioritize improvements to your productGet all the assumptions out in the open and alignedUncover disconnectsGet everyone to buy in
PERSONAS ARE NOT...User ProfilesMarket segmentsReal peopleStatistically representativeComprehensiveAbsoluteStatic
FULL PERSONASBased on extensive user research
Site visitsInterviewsAnalytics data and logsTech support logsMarket researchSales team notes...other data on real users
HOW DO I GET DATA?User ResearcherThird-party data
Government, NGOs, or Think-tanks (Pew, data.gov,yougov.com)Commercial (Nielsen, Gallup)UX {UIE, AnswerLab}
Approach with a question in mind
WHAT IF I HAVE NO REAL DATA?And no budget for UX research...
AD-HOC PERSONAS
a.k.a. Assumption personas, Quick personas, Thin personas...
Get whatever general data you canWho are you building for?Test, research, modify... repeat!
AD-HOC PERSONASCan be advantageous even if you have data
Quick to createJump-starts the process of developing personasMakes data analysis easierFocuses future research: validation, answering relevantquestions
WHAT DOES A PERSONA LOOK LIKE?Typical Characteristics:
CategoryA fictional nameJob title, role, responsibilitiesTheir goals, needs, and prioritiesTheir environmentDemographics (if relevant)A quote or key statementA photo
(usability.gov)An example persona
CHALLENGE 3: CREATE PERSONAS1. Brainstorm user goals (both UX and accomplishments), user
roles (as many as possible)2. Group them3. Name the groups & identify key characteristics (facts - no
assumptions or narratives)4. Create a persona for one of these 'skeletons'
(can use a )template
POWERPOINT / KEYNOTE / (OTHER)
POWERPOINT / KEYNOTE: ADVANTAGESFamiliar and widely availableEasy to learn and useCan export to PDF or HTMLUseful for collaboration among distributed teamsCan draw on existing resources for UI elementsCan simulate some interactivity
POWERPOINT / KEYNOTE: DISADVANTAGESLimited tools for visual designersLimited interactivity
EXAMPLES
Keynote prototype for iPhone interface
Credit: amir khella / YouTube.com
View online
KEYNOTE DEMO
CHALLENGE 4: PROTOTYPING WITH POWERPOINT OR KEYNOTECreate a prototype for a weather webapp
Goal: Determine if key user needs are met
Include:
Current conditionsForecastChance of precipitationMultiple locationsSunrise and sunset times
Bonus:Additional features like an extended forecast, hourly forecastHow will your design change on smaller screens / mobiledevices?
PROTOTYPING AND PERSONASKEY TAKEAWAYS
Help you create a great user experienceKey tools in user-centered designGreat for aligning teams and getting buy-in from clients, execs,etc.Prototyping is easy and inexpensiveStart by using the tools you have & know. You can learnsomething else later if you need to.
RESOURCES & FURTHER STUDYPaper Prototyping: , ,
, Usability Testing: and
- Steve KrugPersonas: - Pruitt & AdlinPowerPoint / Keynote: Fireworks: ,
Muse: General UX: , , , ,
, , ,
My client thinks it's all about visual design:
iOS design elements Sneakpeekit UIStencils Speckyboy list
Don’t Make Me Think Rocket Surgery MadeEasy
The Essential Persona LifecycleKeynotopia
Export Responsive Prototypes iOS TouchPrototyping
Muse JamsUIE UX Magazine Rosenfeld Media UXMastery
A List Apart Lynda Interaction Design Foundation 52 Weeksof UX
Style Tiles
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