User Experience (UX) design has become an essential part of creating digital products, influencing every stage of development. But what exactly is UX design, and why do we work with it? Simply put, UX design is the process of creating products that provide meaningful and relevant experiences to users. In practice, this means focusing on the user’s needs, making interfaces intuitive, and enhancing the overall experience of interacting with a product.
Some of the core reasons we invest in UX design include:
The UX design process typically unfolds in three main stages:
To get a deeper insight into UX design at our organization, we spoke with our UX designer Rob, whose passion for problem-solving and user-centered design shines through in their work.
What made you work with UX design, and what motivates you in your daily work?
"I’ve always had a keen interest in computer systems. From an early age, I was kind of thrown into the IT sphere when my father, who owns a tech company, helped me build a PC in the '90s. I think the first OS I used was Windows 3.0, which was one of the early operating systems with a graphical user interface. This sparked a fascination that led me to pursue IT and later a Bachelor of Engineering in Interaction Design. My studies emphasized human-computer interaction and User-Centered Design, drawing from participatory design traditions. My motivation lies in solving problems and simplifying complex concepts for users, allowing them to focus on what’s important. Seeing improvements in users' workflows brings me immense satisfaction."
What methods do you use to understand user needs?
"We utilize a variety of tools and methods to understand users’ needs and pain points, ensuring our solutions are relevant and adaptable. We focus on targeting key issues without adding unnecessary complexity. Our approach includes:
• Personas and Use Cases: Helping us align on who the users are and what they need.
• Focus Group Workshops: Engaging with customers to explore pain points and discuss potential solutions.
• Surveys and Questionnaires: Gathering broader user feedback to identify common needs.
• Job Shadowing: Observing users directly to uncover usability challenges.
• A/B Testing: Assessing which version of a feature performs best.
• User Testing, Heatmaps, and Recordings: Analyzing interactions to find and address usability issues."
What does your creative process look like when working on a new design?
"The first step is understanding the problem, often in collaboration with the project manager. Once we have a grasp on the needs and requirements, we start brainstorming and sketching initial solutions through rough flow diagrams and low-fidelity wireframes. Once the concept feels right, we develop high-fidelity prototypes that account for development components, responsiveness, and accessibility. These prototypes represent our vision of the final product, which we present to stakeholders. Sometimes, further iterations are necessary before developers begin implementation."
Can you share an example of a project where UX design has played a crucial role?
"Certainly! One of my proudest projects is the SpeedAdmin App. The app design focused heavily on user needs and has proven to be a practical tool, making a positive impact on our users’ day-to-day operations."
How do you see UX design evolving in the future, and what will be important to focus on?
"Our focus on user experience will remain the same, but the methods and tools will evolve. Enhancing workflows between design and development and continually expanding our toolset will be key. Ultimately, it’s about adapting our approach to serve the user better."
UX design is about crafting a seamless user journey, blending research, creativity, and user testing into every stage of product development. By investing in UX, we’re not only creating better products but also fostering long-lasting user relationships. As we look to the future, the role of UX design will continue to grow, adapting to new challenges and technologies, always with the user at its core.