My approach to design is similar to my culinary process. Whether it's Instructional Design, Content, Branding or Interactions, I enjoy creating and building products/spaces that create unforgettable experiences.
I believe there is no linear curve and the messier the process, the better the results!
Tools used - Figma, Miro, Mural, Lucidchart,AutoCAD, Google Sketchup, Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop, Sketchbook & Procreate, Adobe Captivate, Storyline
Product Definition
I start out by exploring concepts and ideas about the product / space. Then, I meet with clients and stakeholders to look into defining the value associated with the product. It is very important to understand the needs of the client / the market to be able to target the right opportunity space.
Research & Analyze
Just as we seek sometimes to enhance tried and tested recipes, I research on missing elements and possible value additions. I list out all the problems and the possible opportunity spaces. Once I am done equipping myself with everything that I need, I empathize with my key audience and put together user personas, user flows, concept maps and customer journeys. I define my key How might we posers. This gives me a clear sense of direction to proceed.
Ideating & Exploring
In this phase, I start by generating ideas/ brainstorming with my team. I draw inspiration and put together mood boards. I start listing potential solutions for my how might we's. Strategy is important because I need to look at the whole system. I look at key details and keep going back to my research phase. I start innovating and putting together a plan. Lots of sketching and post its!
Experimenting & Prototyping
I start making design mockups based on my solutions. This helps me try new concepts. I work on putting together user tasks, system maps & building wireframes. I innovate and make alterations as I discover issues. A lot of ideas come to me during this stage.
Concepts developed on Google Sketchup - a quick way to make 3D models.
Sometimes basic concepts renders on Sketchbook or Procreate suffice to help explain the idea.
I rely on CAD to be able to develop a lot of technical drawings and sketch out my spacial concepts.
I then use Photoshop to add a splash of colour or details.
Testing & Revising
In this phase, I start by testing my prototype mockups with my potential target audience. Innovation theater is a process that I have learnt about recently and it is based on the idea rapid testing and prototyping with customers that helps uncover a lot of obstacles that may have been overlooked. I keep making changes and refining the solution to make sure there are no loose ends and the solution is multi dimensional.
Clickable Prototype wireframes developed on Figma to test with our target audience to work on usability, accessibility and help us understand what works and what needs to be changed.
Helps to build better user flows (based on observations)
Developing & Delivering
I refine and make sure to have taken care of all the pain points and addressed all the issues that have come up so the solution is a comprehensive one. Once this is done, I do a complete check and handoff to the client. When it comes to working on strategy, I present the client with a list of all the problems, key insights and potential solutions even if it was not within my scope of work. When I handoff prototypes for websites, it is essential to equip them with a visual system so the person taking charge can execute it perfectly. As an Interior Designer, I would put together a detailed construction drawing set with materials and all the instructions to be able to execute the design on site.
