The process of connecting
the UX and UI with the final design
Q: So far, we've talked about the UI and UX stages of the design process. Do you divide other aspects of designing a product into separate processes? Or, is every stage part of one big design process?
Kakimoto:
We think it's all one process. The UX team develops a concept of brand value that the UI team turns into something that users will actually use, so UI designers must consider the UI, of course, but must also understand the overall UX goals..
Roy:
I think that every member of a project has to take some responsibility for the UX, it can't be the sole responsibility of the UX team. Just think about what the words "User Experience" imply - the UX is the full scope of how users interact with a product. A user's experience encompasses everything from the way a product works, to how it looks, feels, and sounds. In other words, the design of the UX isn't complete until all parts of a product come together as a whole.
Q: What are the priorities when designing a product?
Roy:
When you are working with a client or as part of a team when designing a product, it's essential that all members involved have the same understanding of the overall direction of the project and its ultimate goals.
Q: Do you sometimes have to change the design direction midway through a project?
Roy:
If we have to change course regarding the design, then that's an important task, but so is understanding the reason why we have to make such a big change. The reason for changing a design might be because the original design didn't end up looking like we intended, or the decision might be based on the opinions or the experience of the team leader. Other times, the market for the product itself might change so that we have to alter the design to match the latest trends. Still other times, we might uncover new information while researching the design, and decide that applying these findings by making changes now will lead to a better final product.