Category Archives: Methodology

The ROI of User Experience

By Oliver Wrede | Published: March 21, 2011
In this animated video Dr. Susan Weinschenk demonstrates how user centered design results in significant return on investment (ROI). (PDF-Download)
Posted in Methodology | Leave a comment

Björn Hartmann: Enlightened Trial and Error

By Oliver Wrede | Published: March 15, 2010
Björn Hartmann (Stanford HCI Group) talks about the different prototyping tools he and his collaborators have built to address two research questions: 1) How can tools enable designers to create prototypes of ubiquitous computing interfaces? 2) How can design tools support the larger process of learning from these prototypes? (Duration: 1 hour, 13 minutes; this [...]
Also posted in Interaction | Leave a comment

The Patchwork Portal

By Oliver Wrede | Published: October 8, 2005
Ton Zijlstra suggests a portal concept for work groups to cllaborate and exchange. His idea utilizes two weblgs, a wiki with an internal area and a discussion board. Ton patches together several tools for this (a Wikka Wiki, two WordPress blogs and a Simple Machines forum). That’s a way to go with almost no server [...]
Posted in Methodology | Leave a comment

Mapping scientific literature

By Oliver Wrede | Published: August 8, 2005
Students often ask for reading recommendations. The question of where to start is a question of what one already knows and what one is up to. There is no single path to take on. So most of the time I first try to give an overview about different types of literature. Now I found this [...]
Posted in Methodology | Leave a comment

Creativity Techniques

By Oliver Wrede | Published: September 24, 2004
Here is a site that contains descriptions about creativity techniques: Below are listed a number of creativity techniques to help with creative thinking. Like most tools these creativity techniques all have their good and bad points. I like to think of these creativity techniques as tools in a toolbox in much the same way as [...]
Posted in Methodology | Leave a comment

Card sorting: a definitive guide

By Oliver Wrede | Published: April 10, 2004
Donna Maurer and Todd Wafel get a hold on card sorting in the design process: “Card sorting is a simple, reliable, and inexpensive method for gathering user input for an overall structure. It is most effective in the early stages of a (re)design. And while it’s not intended to be a silver bullet, when done [...]
Posted in Methodology | Leave a comment

Personas: Setting the Stage for Building Usable Information Sites

By Oliver Wrede | Published: October 24, 2003
Alison J. Head describes the use of personas in design processes.
Posted in Methodology | Leave a comment