The How Might We ideation exercise encourages designers to explore tons of ideas, emphasizes open-mindedness, and suggests collaboration. By turning statements into inquiries, it can shift the designer’s frame of thinking to explore multiple solutions and ideas rather than just one.
The Crazy Eights exercise is a method of ideation that involves brainstorming ideas by sketching them with an 8-minute time limit. TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ON WEBSITE STRUCTURES
The matrix model allows users to follow their own path because content is linked in several ways.
The database model is a website structure that mixes a database, or an organized collection of information, with search functionality. This would be the best structure for the purpose of this web site.
The sequential model is a website structure that leads a user through a step-by-step process. This is used in surveys, program sign-ups, online school exams, or job applications.
Common website structures have been tested and proven effective over time, which meets user expectations. That’s not to say they’ll eventually become outdated, but they have evolved based on feedback from users and designers. Common website structures also organizes the website in a way that results in improved navigation. Explanation: Website structure models add organization and make it easier for designers to build in logical cues that orient and direct users. Common website structures meet user expectations because they have been tested and proven effective. Explanation: Many users have expectations for how websites work based on prior experience using other websites. Common structures can make it easier for users to navigate since they add organization, and have been tested and deemed effective by users.
Competitive audits allow researchers to examine what key competitors do well, and what they could do better. This allows the design team to create a product that addresses gaps in a competitor’s design, or inspire their own in-house creations. Explanation: Competitive audits identify key competitors in your product’s market to help you make sure your design solution is unique and valuable. It also examines what competitors do well, and what they could do better.
The purpose of ideation exercises, like Crazy Eights, is to rapidly explore a variety of ideas, forcing you to think creatively.
Information architecture organizes content to help users understand where they are in a product and where the information they want is.
A sequential website structure leads users through a step-by-step process. Other common website structures include database, matrix, and hierarchical. Explanation: A database website structure mixes a database, or an organized collection of information, with search functionality. Other common website structures include sequential, matrix, and hierarchical. Explanation: A hierarchical structure is a top-down approach that starts with broader categories of information that narrow into more detailed information. Other common website structures include sequential, matrix, and database. Explanation: A matrix structure allows users to follow their own path, since content is linked in several ways. Other common website structures include sequential, database, and hierarchical.
Following a website structure model makes it easier for you, as a designer, to build in logical cues that orient and direct your users through the survey. By leading them through a step-by-step process, users can navigate and complete the survey easily.
A defined website sitemap creates an organized flow that takes users from one task to the next. This is especially important for those using assistive technology and for users who are unfamiliar with navigating the web. Explanation: Defining a sitemap can help designers organize the pathing of their website throughout the design process. It’s a great way to identify all of the pages in the order they will appear on the site for users too. It’s easier to spot forgotten pages, remove, or condense them.
As you create a sitemap, the first step is to think about pages that are commonly found on websites. The second step is to recall information you already know about the users.
Imagine that you kickstart the ideation process to translate issues your users experience into opportunities for design. You choose an ideation method that encourages designers to explore ideas, stay open-minded, and collaborate. Which method does this reflect?
How confident are you in this answer?