Getting to know the user

Every project is different - Always start with the user.

These are some customizable templates I use to create, render, and organize user stories and use cases.  These documents are constantly referred back to while refining the UX.

Formalize It

This is IP, so I treat it that way.

So much of my UX research amounts to having conversations with people. Distilling conversations into well-documented scenarios not only clarifies the problem at hand, but become valuable client assets.

User Flow

This helps me get an idea of the architecture in a way which accounts for user needs.

Some user stories are deeply empathetic, some, in business-facing UI for example, can afford to take much more for granted.  In every case the user story is central, and becomes an organizing force for design, marketing, and engineering.

Sketching

Sometimes I can't resist starting with a sketch...

And sketching out panels based on user flow... And iterating with sketches... And then sketching on a napkin at lunch... Then sketching for fun... You get the idea;) - either way sketches are an indispensable part of the process.

Here are some sketches for a timeline editor.

Wireframes

I make sure the user flow is completely represented in the renderings.

By working all the way to the 'thank you' screen I help ensure the user gets all the feedback they may need from the system.

Annotation

More Documentation - Less Ambiguity.

Assuming all necessary iterations have been approved, the design goes through detailed annotation.  This documents the process for operational purposes and dispels any ambiguity in the designs for the next stage of development.

Full Mockups

Now add Identity.

Whether done in Illustrator, Axure, InDesign, Photoshop, InVision, or live code... Sometimes the project calls for showing functionality, sometimes for showcasing the identity.  Whatever the project calls for, there is a tool.

Front End Dev

Built with Detail and Love and Bootstrap and Stuff

I bring flat designs into full HTML, CSS and Javascript. Whether in Bootstrap, Wordpress, or a completely customized front-end library just for your business! The whole idea is to make it responsive, researched, and awesome.