UX/UI Strategy

Great UX/UI design is more than just aesthetics—it's about solving problems, enhancing usability, and creating seamless digital experiences. My approach to UX/UI focuses on research-driven insights, scalable design systems, and strategic collaboration to deliver impactful user experiences. Below, I outline my core methodology for designing and refining digital products effectively.

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Establishing UX/UI Foundations

When taking on a new project, my first priority is to gain a deep understanding of the product and user experience. This includes identifying key pain points in user interactions, onboarding flows, and UI inconsistencies to establish a clear usability strategy. My goal is to implement quick wins that enhance usability early while developing a long-term strategy for scalable design improvements.

User & Product Research

Conduct user research and interviews to understand audience needs.
Develop user personas to define key engagement points.
Identify usability challenges through first-time user testing.
Map out key product features, their purpose, and pain points.

Assessing the Current
Design System & UI State

Audit existing Figma files and design components.
Determine if a design system exists or needs refinement.
Identify outdated components and align them with current product needs.
Ensure Figma files reflect the latest live versions for streamlined iteration.
Start designing a small new feature to uncover gaps in the existing design system.

UX Process for New Feature Development

UX/UI is a continuous feedback loop that involves structured collaboration, iteration efficiency, and seamless developer handoff. Each phase of the design process informs the next, ensuring that user insights and usability testing directly impact iteration cycles. By continuously refining designs through user feedback, internal reviews, and real-world testing, the process remains flexible and adaptable to project requirements. This iterative approach ensures that user needs stay at the forefront while aligning with technical feasibility and business goals.

Strategy & Planning

Define website goals to effectively communicate PsyPhy’s products and support research and education.
Identify key user personas and tailor content, navigation, and interactions to their needs.
Outline pain points and develop solutions for clearer product discovery and decision-making.
Create wireframes and prototypes to establish a clear information hierarchy and user flow.
Align business objectives with user needs to enhance engagement, accessibility, and conversions.

Design, Iterate, & Collaborate

Collaborate early with developers to ensure feasibility, streamline handoffs, and align on constraints.
Create low-fidelity wireframes to establish structure, identify reusable components, and refine navigation.
Develop high-fidelity iterations based on feedback, enhancing clarity and usability.
Conduct internal reviews to refine interactions and address issues before external testing.
Work iteratively, incorporating insights from testing, analytics, and stakeholder input to improve the design.

Testing & Refinement

Conduct usability testing with researchers and educators to improve navigation, content clarity, and transactions.
Perform A/B testing on product pages and checkout flows to optimize engagement.
Iterate based on feedback, refining content structure, interaction design, and accessibility.
Analyze user behavior through heatmaps and session recordings to resolve pain points.
Maintain a feedback loop with developers and stakeholders for improvements.

Finalize & Developer Handoff

Annotate designs with clear explanations of interactions, behaviors, and edge cases to ensure accurate implementation.
Document feature requirements with detailed specifications, including user flows, accessibility considerations, and responsiveness guidelines.
Add new components to the design system for consistency, scalability, and future reusability across the platform.
Conduct final design reviews with developers to clarify details, address technical constraints, and ensure seamless execution.
Provide ongoing support during development, resolving questions and refining interactions to maintain design integrity.

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Scaling and Maintaining a Unified Design System

A structured design system ensures scalability, consistency, and efficiency across all products and interfaces. It provides a single source of truth for design decisions, enabling teams to work more collaboratively and maintain product coherence. By establishing clear guidelines and reusable components, a design system reduces redundancy, speeds up development, and ensures that design updates align with evolving business objectives. Additionally, it fosters a shared understanding across teams, helping designers, developers, and stakeholders stay aligned throughout the product lifecycle.

Key Elements of a Strong Design System

Brand Identity

Define brand colors, typography, and design language.

Annotations

Standardize interaction patterns and UI behaviors for developers.

Component Library

Build reusable UI components based on atomic design principles.

Iterative Evolution

Track design iterations and maintain version control for continuous improvements.

Accessibility

Implement best practices to create inclusive user experiences.

Design Documentation

Maintain comprehensive guidelines to ensure consistency and streamline collaboration across teams.

Impact on Workflow & Iteration

Once a design system and component library are in place, new features benefit from a streamlined workflow, minimizing redundant design efforts and expediting iteration cycles. This ensures consistency across platforms, enhances efficiency, and aligns design updates with business and user goals.

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