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Interaction design series

Design Principles & Methodologies

Lean UX and the seven principles · By Apu Hasan · ≈6 min read

6.1 Methodology Used

While developing for any solution, prototype is the best implementation to make the project more accurate and successful. To make successful any prototype or project, some methodology like RAD, Lean UX and Star Development etc. might implement. In IxD, there has several design methodology which can be implemented for a successful prototype. Here, Lean UX methodology is applied for the proposed solution.

Focusing on the designer experience and hypothesis, Lean UX is mostly cooperative design and development method acting as a team which boosts the designer to draw together the information from user level using their mental model (experiences) so that they can produce an accurate and faster solution. Lean UX also boosts the process while it merge with the agile manner.

While designing with Lean UX, some principle like acting as a team, flow of excursion, finalize decisions need to maintain. Lean UX also functions with several process and procedure. Firstly, a basic concept needs to illustrate according to the scenario or requirements from user. Then, based on those requirements, designer will draw a prototype solution for the user. And finally, that prototype is tested to ensure that the prototype is functions accurately.

Here in the proposed prototype, requirements are gathered using requirements gathering technique (interview, inspection and analysis documents). User, OS, platform identification processes has undertaken for designing the prototype. Using Justinmind tool for both low fidelity (sketch widget) and high fidelity prototype has been painted. Then a testing process has run over the prototype to check whether it reaches the minimal viable product (MVP) visibility and functions accurately or not.

6.2 Design Principles

Designing for an interaction design solution, there has some basic principle which need to focus on the designing any solution. Some of are discussed below —

6.2.1 Functionality

To achieving a goal or task, functionality is a needed fact of a design. Functionality defines a sequence of instruction in order to accomplish a task. (Cerejo, 2012)

Some guidelines for designers —

6.2.2 Content

The way of a user can be acknowledged about the functions which are going to be performed by that user is defined as content. So designing an interaction solution necessary contents are required and it can be used in many forms like text, video, image etc. General guidelines need to follow —

6.2.3 Context

Context is also important for any interaction solution. For example, mobile device can use in many place in many situation where the context might not the same. This principle governs for any interaction design solution to keep it in good context. (Cerejo, 2012)

Here some guideline of this principle —

6.2.4 Usability

Usability analyzes working efficiency of the system or solution including the information architecture, content design and the other element which are used in solution to accomplish the user goal. (Cerejo, 2012)

Some guideline has illustrated below —

6.2.5 Consistency

In designing an interaction design, user experiences are important while using the app. So designed application should maintain a good consistent interface so that user feel a real user experience.

There is some guideline to maintain the consistency —

6.2.6 Help

Helps assist a user to use the system including how to do, what to do, where to do and some information about any technical element. User is not a technical person that they can understand the every element of the system. If there has no help instruction or guideline for user, solution might not be successful. (Cerejo, 2012)

Guideline to use —

6.2.7 Feedback

This principle allows getting the user attention by giving the user notification or alerts. Using some system notification and user interaction notification helps to retain the user attention.

Here some following guidelines that are followed to the proposed prototype —

6.3 Design Elements

The following discussion are focused on design element which are applied to the prototype —

6.3.1 Layout

Layout focus the manner of element are appeared in any pre-defined UI. In developed prototype, grid layout has been implemented.

6.3.2 Navigation

6.3.3 Buttons

6.3.4 Color

6.3.5 Icon

6.3.6 Dialogs