interaction design for fast-paced startups
DESCRIPTION
Talk given at Web 2.0 Expo Berlin: Twice the Speed and Half the Cost - Basics of Interaction Design for Fast-Paced Startups, by Gregor Hochmuth (www.dotgrex.com)TRANSCRIPT
Twice the Speed& Half the Cost
Interaction Design for fast-paced Startups
Greg Hochmuthzoo-m.com
November 6, 2007Web 2.0 Expo Berlin
In the context of this talk,
“Design is about defining how your users interact with your product, based on your understanding ofwho they are, why they use andwhat they want to achieve.”
– Cost
– Process
– Expertise
Misconceptions
“Easier Habits”
– Code it first,design later
“Easier Habits”
– Feature creep
“Easier Habits”
Notknowingyour users
“Easier Habits”
Design is the difference between
Design is the difference between
&
Design is the difference between
&
&
Good Designdoesn’t have to mean “pretty”
Good Designdoesn’t have to mean “pretty”
Good Designdoesn’t have to mean “pretty”
... and “pretty” is NOTthe same as good design.
Good Design, you say?
“I know it when I see it.”-- Your boss
Good Design, you say?
“I know it when I see it.”
... It’s when you don’t see it.
But you can’t makea cake just by looking at a picture.
So, how do youmake good design?
#1
#1
KNOW
#1
YOUR
#1
USERS
> UCG
Users, Context, Goals.
• Who they are
• What they want to accomplish
• What context they are inWhat constraints they face
• Who else is involvedWhat methods they use today
• What words do they use
• Ask Why 5 times
User Research
“User Research?
< Your VC
...You don’t have time for this.”
Your lead developer>
“Me, interview people?”
the real benefits
• Avoids the “Elastic user”
• Help you answer design questions
• Bring everyone on the same page
• Create a shared understanding
• There is a difference betweenwhat people do and what people say
• Watch for “Post-Its”
• What do they use?
• People love to talk about themselves
When you talk to people
#1. Know your users, know their goals
#2
People don’t want features, they want outcomes.”
-- Jason Fried, 37signals
“
#1. Know your users, know their goals
#2. Turn your features into stories
#1. Know your users, know their goals
#2. Turn your features into stories
#3
TEST
TEST WHILE IT’S
CHEAP
Paper is cheap.
Code is expensive.(just like dead documentation)
Paper to Product
• Tips for testing– The less polished, the better
– The secret life of PowerPoint
– “Wizard of Oz” technique
– Don’t make people “pretend” to be someone else
• Resources– www.paperprototyping.com/
– www.alistapart.com/articles/paperprototyping
– www.uie.com/articles/prototyping_tips/
Paper to Product
• Tips for testing
– The less polished, the better
– The secret life of PowerPoint
– “Wizard of Oz” technique
– Don’t make people “pretend” to be someone else
#1. Know your users, know their goals
#2. Turn your features into stories
#3. Test while it’s cheap
Summary
• Design for your users, not for yourself
• Know who your users are,why they will use your product,and what you’re helping them accomplish
• Maximize shared understanding
Get everyone involved
Be visual &Keep making stuff
Have Fun
together
DESIGN ISSUES THAT GET OVERLOOKED TOO OFTEN
Extra Goodies (not enough time during Expo Presentation)
Web Readability
Writing for the Web
www.useit.com/papers/webwriting/
First Experiencesand Expectations
First Experiences & Expectations
The 5-second test
First Experiences & Expectations
The 5-second testwww.uie.com/articles/five_second_test/
First Experiences & Expectations
10 seconds before
[click!]
5 seconds after
30 seconds (2-3 pages)
5 minutes
...
1 week later
...
Talking to a friend
Do you have a storyfor each of those moments?
Have you really thought aboutthe context of your users at that point?
Thanks.
Photo Credits!by * Beezy *http://www.flickr.com/photos/53085837@N00/52666083
by e v i lhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/91738385@N00/331663300
Collected using FlickrStorm:
www.zoo-m.com/flickr-storm/
Photo Credits!by josef.stueferhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/20375052@N00/8173741
by Milovanhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/ikero/382108642/
Collected using FlickrStorm:
www.zoo-m.com/flickr-storm/