A big thanks goes out to Andrew Maier whose article “Designing for Startups: How to Deliver the Message Across” in Smashing Magazine included some thoughts from a blog post I wrote a few months ago titled “A Plan of Action.”
In it he features my three approaches to design: Reactive, Preactive, and Proactive — the latter of which I recommend as the best way for startups to design, test, and iterate.
“I believe that most UX designers would agree — dare I say, empathize — with Whitney’s prescribed preactive approach. Beginning with thinking — with research — is in a user-centered designer’s blood; it helps them understand their audience and voice their messages appropriately. Further still, “preactivity” appears to be the only real way for designers to gain empathy. But most start-up environments run counter to this approach. Acting and then thinking usually leaves little room for the voice of research.”
It’s a really great article for anyone who’s currently trying to figure out how to adapt their typical design and UX process to a company — startup or otherwise — that needs a more fluid, lightweight, fast-paced approach.
Related Posts:
- My 20 Guiding Principles for UX Design on Monster.com’s InsideTech March 26, 2010 | 2 comments
- Empathy is the Core of Design Thinking February 26, 2013 | 2 comments
- See For Yourself on Johnny Holland Magazine March 18, 2010 | 1 comments
- My DIY UX talk is featured in InformationWeek August 24, 2009 | 1 comments
- ReadWriteWeb on my Boxee beta UX process, and other thoughts January 29, 2010 | 4 comments
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