UX newsletter — October 2018
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Message from the Editor
Hi {!email}
I often hear people describe field visits as a way to help users "tell their story". But it's only recently that I've begun to think of the UX researcher as a storyteller too. I've written more in this month's article; I hope you find it interesting.
— David Travis
UX researchers are storytellers who have devised tools like personas and user journey maps to tell the story of their research. Focusing on the story, rather than the tool, is a powerful way to become more effective. Read the article in full: Storytelling in UX research.
A knowledge of psychology can help user researchers be more effective when they plan research, make observations, analyse data and present the results. Read the article in full: 10 findings from psychology that every user researcher should know.
What we’re reading
Some interesting UX-related articles that got our attention over the last month:
- With many combinations of text and background colors, it is impossible to use non-underlined links and also meet all of the WCAG guidelines. This becomes increasingly difficult if the links change color on hover or focus.
- A personal story of how NOT to do usabilitytesting.
- "What people may not understand is the subtler way that design thinking gets around human biases (for example, rootedness in the status quo) or attachments to specific behavioral norms ('That's how we do things here')."
- The noises made by physical products are not just part of their charm and emotional engagement. These noises provide clues to help us understand how the product works. One more reason why the future isn't digital but "digilogue" (augmented analogue).
- The importance of contextual observation in user research.
- Principles of Product Design. Long but worthwhile read.
- Evaluating a product's usability by asking a tech-novice and a tech-expert to solve the test tasks together.
- The all-important back cover blurb for my new book on UX research.
Like these? Want more? View our posts on Twitter or Facebook.
Upcoming UX training courses
In this fun and hands-on training course, you'll practice all the key areas of UX — from interviewing your users through to prototyping and usability testing your designs — while you prepare for and take the BCS Foundation Certificate exam. View the full syllabus: Foundation Certificate in User Experience.
UX quotation of the month
"Great books aren't written, they're re-written." — Michael Crichton.
Did I mention I'm writing a book?
It's titled Think Like a UX Researcher and you can help shape the book, get sample content, and find out when it's published at uxresearchbook.com.
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