PRACTICE QUIZ
Imagine you’re designing an app to help users learn how to effectively manage their money. It features short and straightforward articles, tools, and reminders. Since the app is intended for those on-the-go, which design philosophy should you consider?
The mobile-first approach aligns best with the project. The demographic you’re designing the app for are people who are on-the-go, which means they’d most likely use mobile devices like phones and tablets.
Regardless of current trends, the most important things a designer should consider are the users and the context of their needs.
There are multiple approaches a designer can take to creating a product, and there’s no single correct way. It’s more important to consider the needs of the users and the context of those needs.
You design a product for users based in emerging international markets and want to use the mobile-first approach. What is an advantage for using this approach?
Users in emerging international markets may access content primarily from a mobile device, so the mobile-first philosophy would be ideal in this case.
Fill in the blank: In graceful degradation, you design from the largest screens to the smallest screens. However, in progressive enhancement you design _____.
Progressive enhancement means designing from the smallest screen to the largest screen. This is also called the bottom-up approach.
Imagine you are designing a learning tool for young readers for the local public library’s computer lab. Consider the user and identify which design philosophy works best for this tool.
Since this product will serve young users in a computer lab, it is best to design for a larger screen first and a mobile version later. TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ON DESIGNING ACROSS DEVICES
Farha is creating a mobile version of a large company’s recently announced desktop application and wants to keep the brand familiar across platforms. Which of the four Cs does this adhere to?
Consistency means having a uniform design, so users can expect the design to feel familiar across devices and products. Large brands and companies like Google incorporate a consistent look and feel across all their products so users can expect familiarity.
To design effectively across platforms, identify a few key ideas a designer should be mindful of. Select all that apply.
Designers should consider the different types of input methods out there, including features like touchscreen, keyboard, mouse, switch, microphone, and more. so designers can best create a product that suits the device or platform. The designer should also be mindful of context of use and content layout. Explanation: Understanding how and when users will use a product on specific or various devices is an important aspect to consider to effectively design across platforms. The designer should also be mindful of input methods and content layout. Explanation: Considering how information is organized on the screens can affect how users access information effectively, and it influences the content readability. The designer should also be mindful of context of use and input methods. TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ON PROBLEM STATEMENTS
Why are problem statements used to inform designs?
They are clear descriptions of user needs that should be addressed, and they provide a succinct way for designers to reference user needs.
Which sentence is considered a problem statement?
This is a complete problem statement because it features a persona’s name, characteristics, and needs to provide insights about a potential user group. TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ON COMPETITIVE AUDITS
When conducting a competitive audit, what step occurs after a designer creates a list of their product’s competitors?
After a designer creates a list of their product’s competitors, they identify the specific features of the competitors to focus on in the research.
Fill in the blank: Competitive audits help designers understand what user needs are already being met in the marketplace and how their designs can _____.
Competitive audits give designers strategic insights for planning the next step of their designs; therefore, they help them make improvements to their design. WEEKLY CHALLENGE 1: DESIGN ACROSS DEVICES
You decide to design a global communication app for a mobile device first. Which of the following factors contribute to your decision?
Since your app targets a global audience in emerging markets, the geographic location of users is an important factor.
What should you have to get started with the Crazy Eights exercise?
You will use your problem statement to help guide your ideation.
What is the difference between progressive enhancement and graceful degradation in UX design?
Progressive enhancement and graceful degradation are opposite approaches to UX design.
Which of the following is the best design solution to accommodate the next billion users (NBU)?
Developing solutions across all devices and screen sizes includes all potential users regardless of the device.
What are some drawbacks to responsive web apps?
Requiring an internet connection or cell signal means users cannot access the app offline.
Review the journey map for user persona Shane: Shane was able to reserve books, but was frustrated with the limited quantity of books they were allowed to reserve. Which row in the journey map would include Shane’s pain points? ( Image S5Q6 )
Shane’s feelings of frustration would be listed in the Feeling Adjective row.
Problem statements help designers propose a specific, measurable solution that addresses the user’s goals and pain points. Which of the following is a quality of a great problem statement?
Great problem statements are human-centered. They’re also broad enough to allow for creative freedom, yet narrow enough to be solved by a design solution.
A design team is working on an app for a government information tool and suggests this problem statement: Casey just moved to the area and needs to get information about setting up utilities because he doesn’t know who to contact. What element is missing in the problem statement?
The user’s characteristics are missing in the problem statement. It would be helpful to know more about Casey to understand the user’s need and insight.
Consider the following persona and answer the following question: ( Image S5Q9 ) Which of the following is a good user story based on this user persona?
This is an example of a good user story because it addresses the persona’s needs based on their characteristics.
When conducting a competitive audit, what is the next step after creating a list of your competitors?
Once you create a list of your competitors, you identify the specific features of those competitors to focus on.
Fill in the blank: Designing for one screen first allows you to validate your product design, establish a clear user flow, and _____.
Focusing on one design at a time helps you make decisions about the visual aspects of your product going forward.
Why should designers take a mobile-first approach when designing solutions for new potential users?
Mobile phones have democratized internet access due to their relatively low cost and ubiquity. Potential new users are more likely to be mobile phone users than desktop users.
Fill in the blank: One of the four Cs, _____ ensures a uniform design so users can expect it to feel familiar across devices and products.
Consistency ensures a uniform design so that users can expect the same experience across devices.
A designer wants to build a store locator app that requires access to a user’s location while in use. Which app type would be the best option for this build?
A dedicated mobile app would work best because an internet connection is not required and it can work with the phone’s location services.
Consider the following persona and user story: ( Image S5Q15 ) "As a busy professional and avid book lover, I want to be able to reserve books in advance, so that I can pick them up based on my schedule.” What component of the user story addresses the persona’s goal to access books they want to read when they arrive at the library?
The persona’s action of being able to reserve books in advance addresses their goal to access books they want to read when they arrive at the library.
What is limited in the Crazy Eights exercise?
The time allotted in this exercise is the only limitation in Crazy Eights.
What is the difference between bottom-up design and top-down design?
Bottom-up and top-down design are opposite design approaches applied based on the user)s need.
If the majority of users accessing a site are likely to use a mobile device, what are some best practices for building a site with these users in mind? Select all that apply.
Mobile users access content from a smaller screen, so content optimized for a small screen is important. Explanation: Mobile users may move from a mobile device to a desktop site, so it is important to provide a seamless user experience between devices. Explanation: Even though the site should be usable from any device, taking into account each device’s unique advantages can make the overall user experience even better.
You design a banking app for mobile and desktop devices that can alert users about large deposits or withdrawals. The mobile notifications provide limited information in one sentence, while the desktop notifications provide complete details. Which of the four C’s do these features represent?
This is an example of designing with context. The design solution addresses the needs of a specific device and the way a user interacts with it in any given situation.
What elements make up a problem statement? Select all that apply.
Insights based on the persona’s problem are included in the problem statement because they identify the goals for the design solution. Explanation: The persona’s name is included in the problem statement because it is a human-centered description of a user’s need. Explanation: The persona’s characteristics are included in the problem statement because they represent a real user. Explanation: The persona’s needs are included in the problem statement because they identify a user’s pain points.
A problem statement helps designers create the vision for the design. Which of the following is an example of a strong problem statement?
This is an example of a problem statement because it is a clear description of a user’s need that the designer should address.
What question should you ask when deciding which device to design for first?
This is a common consideration when evaluating your device design choice. Designers should consider that a user’s experience with a product differs if they’re at home, work, school, or another location.
What is the primary device type designers should consider when designing for the next billion users (NBU)?
It is important to consider global users when designing for NBU. The vast majority of people around the world use a mobile phone as their primary device for accessing the internet.
Review the journey map for user persona Shane: Shane is ready to pick up books from the library, but is unsure of the process to complete this action. Based on this pain point, you provide detailed instructions for Shane to test their ability to pick up the books. Which row in the journey map should include those instructions? ( Image S5Q24 )
Including a list of instructions under the Task List section helps to track the actions required to pick up books.
Consider the following persona and complete the user story: ( Image S5Q25 ) Fill in the blank: As a busy professional and book lover, I want to be able to _____, so that I can pick them up based on my schedule.
This represents the action part of the user story. Shane wants to be able to reserve books in advance so they can pick them up based on their busy schedule.
A designer is developing a website for state employees to process resident requests for licenses primarily through a desktop computer. What approach should be applied in this scenario?
Since the employees will access the site primarily from a desktop computer, the best approach would be graceful degradation. This approach designs from the largest screen to smaller screens.
Identify benefits of creating a dedicated mobile app. Select all that apply.
Dedicated mobile apps work well with built-in device features, and allows more visual and interactive options, like gestures and animations. Explanation: Dedicated mobile apps work well with built-in device features, and allows more visual and interactive options, like gestures and animations.
A design team just completed user research for their upcoming grocery delivery design project. They want to develop a user persona for an adult user who needs a dedicated mobile app. What characteristics should the team include when creating a user persona? Select all that apply.
Including persona’s age helps the design team identify the type of user most likely to benefit from the app. It would be helpful to include their location and family situation too. Explanation: Including a persona’s family structure helps the design team understand a potential user’s shopping behaviors and needs based on those behaviors. It would be helpful to include their age and location too. Explanation: Including location information helps the design team understand a user’s access and availability for a mobile delivery app. It would be helpful to include their age and family situation too.
What can user journey maps do to improve the user experience? Select all that apply.
In addition to highlighting new pain points, user journey maps help to create obstacle-free paths, reduce the impact of designer bias, and identify areas for improvement in the design. All of these benefits help add context to user pain points. Explanation: In addition to creating obstacle-free paths for the user, user journey maps help to highlight new pain points, reduce the impact of designer bias, and identify areas for improvement in the design. All of these benefits help add context to user pain points. Explanation: In addition to reducing the impact of designer bias, user journey maps help to create obstacle-free paths, highlight new pain points, and identify areas for improvement in the design. All of these benefits help add context to user pain points.
When building the path to map a user’s journey, what is the first step you should do?
The first step in building the path to map a user’s journey is to add each action journey until the user reaches their goal. This would go on the top row of the map.
What is the goal of the Crazy Eights exercise during the ideation phase?
The goal of Crazy Eights is to push beyond your first idea, frequently the least innovative, and to generate a wide variety of solutions to your challenge.
You design a music streaming app for laptops, desktops, and mobile phones. Users can start a playlist from their laptop or desktop and listen to it on mobile phones, or vice versa, as long as the devices are attached to the same account log-in. Which of the four Cs does this feature represent?
This is an example of continuity in design because users have an uninterrupted experience as they move between devices. Regardless of which platform a person uses to create a playlist, they can move to another device to continue where they left off, or listen to it. To provide that continuity, the devices have to be attached to the same account log-in.
Review the journey map for user persona Shane: Shane was able to browse the catalog of books, but was not able to find any twentieth century books in a short time. Based on this pain point, you recommend expanding the site’s filter options. Which row in the journey map should include your recommendations? ( Image S5Q33 )
Listing ways to refine the catalogue’s filter would fall under the Improvement Opportunities section because it identifies areas for improvement in the design.
Fill in the blank: Problem statements are a succinct way to reference a user’s needs. They also help designers _____.
Problem statements help designers move forward with a clear vision for the design.
What is the final step in conducting a competitive audit?
Once you have completed your competitive audit, you summarize your findings in a report or presentation.
A designer wants to design for the smallest and most basic version of their site, like for a mobile phone. What approach should they use?
Fill in the blank: When designing solutions for a large global audience, designers should take the _____ approach.
Prioritizing mobile users focuses on the common point of access for most of today’s global users.
A design team is working on a design project for a bill pay app. They have to design the app quickly and with a limited budget. Which of the following app types would work best in this scenario?
A design team is working on a design project for an event ticketing app to reduce paper tickets. They suggest the following design problem statement: Ricki is an avid sports fan and wants to avoid printing tickets that will be discarded once they’re in the stadium. What element is missing in the problem statement?
What is the objective of the Crazy Eights exercise?
Fill in the blank: When outlining your goals in a competitive audit, you should include your users, _____, and the product’s industry.
You are at a UX design conference and are attending a session on designing for social good. The speaker indicates that designing with accessibility in mind has become more commonplace. However, they say that there is still a large issue with products. What would that issue be?
You are working with a junior UX designer on their first project. They are designing for a responsive website. You advise them to use progressive enhancement as they begin to design. What does this mean?
A design journal article that you have recently read declares that the mobile-first philosophy in UX design has become increasingly popular. Why is this the case?
A junior UX designer is studying the different methods of designing for responsive websites. They ask you what graceful degradation means. How would you respond?
Your UX design team has been hired to design an educational website for a local school district. Through empathy interviews and data collection, they have determined that the majority of users for this website will be using laptops or desktops in a classroom or library setting. Which design approach would best suit this type of product?
You are attending a UX design conference. The keynote speaker tells the audience that the first or primary device for accessing the internet for the vast majority of people around the world is now a mobile phone. What does this statement mean as you think about your design philosophy?
You are giving a presentation to individuals who potentially want to pursue a career in UX design. You make the statement that UX designers have to plan for a nearly endless number of different devices and different variables, such as varying screen sizes and different input methods like a keyboard or microphone. A participant asks you why this is true. How would you respond? Select all that apply.
A junior UX designer mentions that they are designing for a website that will be used across multiple devices. You recommend that they use the 4 Cs when designing across devices. The junior UX designer is not sure what you mean by the 4 Cs. What would you tell them?
Your UX design mentor mentions that it is important to know how users will interact with your designs. Why is this important?
You mention to a junior UX designer that having a mobile-first approach to designs will likely lower load time. What does this mean?
You are mentoring a junior UX designer. They have taken their very first project, which is to design a responsive website. You advise them to employ the progressive enhancement approach. They ask you what the benefits are for this approach. What would you tell them? Select all that apply.
The junior UX designer you are mentoring is designing a responsive website. They are not sure if they should use a progressive enhancement approach or a graceful degradation approach. What would you tell them to help them decide on their approach?
You are working with a new UX designer. Together, you are evaluating websites and identifying the good elements of UX design and the elements that do not meet UX design standards. The new UX designer notices that on one website, the sign-in button is located in the same location, even if the website is viewed on different types of devices. Which of the 4 Cs of designing across devices does this relate to?
The instructor in your UX design class mentions the Next Billion Users. What are they referring to?
In your UX design class, the instructor is talking about using the 4 Cs when designing across devices. They give the example of a person who has an email app on both their mobile phone and smartwatch. The person is likely not going to compose emails on their smartwatch. Rather, they might want to receive email notifications or see important messages on their smartwatch. The instructor reinforces this example by saying that UX designers must design for the needs of a specific device and the way in which the user will use that device in any given situation. Which of the 4 Cs does this address?
The scope of work for the project you are starting indicates that the app should be designed for multiple devices, including desktops, phones, and smart watches. What elements do you need to consider when designing across devices? Select all that apply.
You are using the progressive enhancement approach for a responsive website design. How does this approach help you as you are designing? Select all that apply.
You have just returned from a UX design conference where the main topic was accessibility. You would like to apply some of the things you learned from the conference. In your current project, you are working on a design for an app that senior citizens will use to schedule caretaker and family visits. What considerations would you apply in your design to better accommodate senior citizens? Select all that apply.
The junior UX designer you are mentoring is tasked with creating a responsive website. You advise them to consider bottom-up designing. They are not sure what this means. How would you explain this to them?
You are orienting a new UX designer to your company and the team. The UX designer asks you to identify the number one thing that the UX design team focuses on. You consider this question, and thinking from a UX design perspective, you provide them an answer. What would your answer be?
You are starting a new project for which you will be building an app that will be used across multiple devices. How would you determine which device you should focus your design on at first?
You are following the mobile-first philosophy as you are designing a new app. What is one benefit of a mobile-first approach?
The junior UX designer you are mentoring is wondering about when in the design process they will decide to use the progressive enhancement approach or the graceful degradation approach. What would you tell them?
You are teaching a UX design course. Today’s topic is designing across devices. You explain the 4 Cs of designing across devices to your students. You give them a scenario and ask for them to consider it and provide you an answer: Your client wants users to start writing an email on their laptop, save it as a draft, and finish that email later through an app on their mobile phone. Which of the 4 Cs of designing across devices does this relate to?
At a UX designer conference, one of the presenters talks about progressive enhancement and alludes to a design philosophy that it is closely related to. Which philosophy is this presenter alluding to?
You are attending a UX design conference. The keynote speaker is presenting on how worldwide internet use shifted in popularity from personal desktop computers to wireless, mobile devices. Why did this transformation happen?
You are teaching a class on UX design, and the topic today is designing across devices. You talk about how one of the four Cs takes into account how each device can make the overall user experience even better. To bring this to life, you give the example of your friend, who primarily uses their laptop computer for email. But, when they are out and about, they will take pictures on their mobile device and then attach those pictures and send them through email. Which of the 4 Cs of designing across devices does this relate to?
You are at a UX design conference and the session you are attending starts by giving context about the UX design approaches of designing for different types of devices. The speaker talks about a graceful degradation approach. What are they referring to?
Ready to test your recall?
Imagine you’re designing an app to help users learn how to effectively manage their money. It features short and straightforward articles, tools, and reminders. Since the app is intended for those on-the-go, which design philosophy should you consider?
How confident are you in this answer?