UI/UX designs need to solve Problems.
You need to be a problem solver to become a designer!
A UI/UX design that solves no problem is just colors and elements.
I bet you have heard at least one of these statements in your journey as a designer. Almost all our previous articles have emphasized the need to solve problems with designs. Let’s walk together through a few tips on how to start solving problems.
1. Listen to the Users.
When exposed to a product, the very first step is to know exactly what the product is for and the primary problem the product is meant to solve. This can only be done effectively if you listen to the Users. You have to know WHO the users are — Don’t assume the role of the user. People face problems you probably haven’t experienced or taken note of; you have to listen to their problems, empathize with them, gather as much information as possible and take note of key information where necessary. There might be so many problems and it might be overwhelming at first but be patient and listen carefully with an open mind.
2. Define the Problems
Compile their problems and rank them from most recurring to least recurring problems. This would help you understand the major problems to be solved. Other minor problems can be chipped in later on and probably merged with major solutions. Your design doesn’t have to solve all the problems at once but it has to solve the MAJOR and RECURRING PROBLEMS.
3. List all Possible Solutions
Put down your ideas and how you think you can solve the problem. Feel free to ask others for ideas and opinions. This would help make your solution user centric. Avoid making the solution too broad and too narrow. Simplicity should also be put at the forefront of your mind as you design. You don’t want to proffer a solution that would lead to more problems or would be too complex for the user to comprehend.
4. Examine yourself to see if you have gotten it all right.
I always recommend the popular 5 Ws and H that literally cuts across almost all fields (if not all). The Who, What, Why, Where, When and How.
- Who are your Users — the target audience?
- What do they do? What do they need to accomplish by using the product? What are their problems?
- Why do they need the product? Why do they perform these tasks?
- When do they use the product? When do they perform the tasks? When do they encounter these problems?
- Where are they when they perform the task? Is the environment conducive? What conditions are they surrounded by when using the product?
- How do they perform the task?
These are some questions you need to ask yourself in order to know if you truly understand the problem and the users. This would also help you observe the people who would use the product, what they do, how they do it, where they do it and when they do it. (By Jim Ross — infragistics.com )
5. Proceed to make the solution a reality.
At this point, there is enough ground to drive your solution. Create sketches and mid fidelity wire-frames. It is best to send your solutions out at this point to validate it and have a user test. Feedback would help connect the user better with the solution, and this is the whole point of UI/UX design. When all has been checked, beauty and aesthetics give the final BLOW! Yes, solving the problem does not put a full stop to the process, the design also has to be pleasing to the eyes too.
You have to understand the problem in order to solve it. If it is something you can’t relate to, be swift to ask for help and ask questions. Don’t be scared of feedback and also keep the users involved at all times — you are solving their problem not what you think is their problem.
