Category: Methodology

  • The ROI of User Experience

    In this animated video Dr. Susan Weinschenk demonstrates how user centered design results in significant return on investment (ROI). (PDF-Download)

  • Björn Hartmann: Enlightened Trial and Error

    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…

  • The Patchwork Portal

    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…

  • Mapping scientific literature

    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…

  • Creativity Techniques

    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…

  • Card sorting: a definitive guide

    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…

  • Personas: Setting the Stage for Building Usable Information Sites

    Alison J. Head describes the use of personas in design processes.