The document outlines the design process for creating usable products. It involves requirements analysis, research, conceptual design, mockups/prototypes, production, and launch. Research is key and includes identifying users, understanding needs, technical requirements, previous versions, and competition. Conceptual design uses use cases, task analysis, and information architecture. Prototypes are generated and evaluated through methods like card sorting, focus groups, and user testing. Quality assurance and user problem tracking occur throughout production.

1. DESIGN PROCESS
The Role of Research in Designing Usable Products

2. Requirements
Analysis
R e s e a r c h
Conceptual Design
Mockups &
Prototypes
Production
Launch

3. Requirements
Analysis
R e s e a r c h
Identify users/audiences
Conceptual
Design Understand user needs & goals
Understand client needs & goals
Mockups &
Prototypes Technical requirements & limitations
Research previous versions
Production
Research competition
Launch
interviews ✥ surveys ✥ observations

4. Requirements
Analysis
R e s e a r c h
Conceptual
Design
Use cases
Mockups &
Prototypes Task analysis
Information architecture
Production
Launch
✥ card sorting ✥

5. Requirements
Analysis
R e s e a r c h
Conceptual
Design
Mockups &
Prototypes
Generation
Evaluation
Production
Launch
focus groups ✥ user testing

6. Requirements
Analysis
R e s e a r c h
Conceptual
Design
Mockups &
Prototypes
Production
Launch
heuristic evaluation ✥ user testing

7. Requirements
Analysis
R e s e a r c h
Conceptual
Design
Mockups &
Prototypes
Quality Assurance: code, spelling, load
Production
User Problem Tracking
Launch
surveys ✥ observations

8. Identify users/audiences
Understand user needs & goals
Requirements
Analysis
Understand client needs & goals
R e s e a r c h
Technical requirements & limitations
Conceptual Research previous versions
Design
Research competition
Mockups & Use cases
Prototypes
Task analysis
Information architecture
Production
Mockup generation
Mockup evaluation
Launch Production
Quality assurance
User problem tracking

9. Identify users/audiences interviews ✥
Understand user needs & goals surveys ✥
Requirements
Analysis
Understand client needs & goals observations
R e s e a r c h
Technical requirements & limitations
Conceptual Research previous versions
Design
Research competition
Mockups & Use cases
Prototypes
Task analysis
Information architecture
Production
Mockup generation
Mockup evaluation
Launch Production
Quality assurance
User problem tracking

10. Identify users/audiences interviews ✥
Understand user needs & goals surveys ✥
Requirements
Analysis
Understand client needs & goals observations
R e s e a r c h
Technical requirements & limitations
Conceptual Research previous versions
Design
Research competition
Mockups & Use cases
Prototypes
Task analysis
✥ card sorting ✥
Information architecture
Production
Mockup generation
Mockup evaluation
Launch Production
Quality assurance
User problem tracking

11. Identify users/audiences interviews ✥
Understand user needs & goals surveys ✥
Requirements
Analysis
Understand client needs & goals observations
R e s e a r c h
Technical requirements & limitations
Conceptual Research previous versions
Design
Research competition
Mockups & Use cases
Prototypes
Task analysis
✥ card sorting ✥
Information architecture
Production
Mockup generation focus groups ✥ user testing
Mockup evaluation
Launch Production
Quality assurance
User problem tracking

12. Identify users/audiences interviews ✥
Understand user needs & goals surveys ✥
Requirements
Analysis
Understand client needs & goals observations
R e s e a r c h
Technical requirements & limitations
Conceptual Research previous versions
Design
Research competition
Mockups & Use cases
Prototypes
Task analysis
✥ card sorting ✥
Information architecture
Production
Mockup generation focus groups ✥ user testing
Mockup evaluation
Launch Production heuristic evaluation ✥ user testing
Quality assurance
User problem tracking

13. Identify users/audiences interviews ✥
Understand user needs & goals surveys ✥
Requirements
Analysis
Understand client needs & goals observations
R e s e a r c h
Technical requirements & limitations
Conceptual Research previous versions
Design
Research competition
Mockups & Use cases
Prototypes
Task analysis
✥ card sorting ✥
Information architecture
Production
Mockup generation focus groups ✥ user testing
Mockup evaluation
Launch Production heuristic evaluation ✥ user testing
Quality assurance surveys ✥
User problem tracking observations

14. Identify users/audiences
Understand user needs & goals
Requirements
Analysis
Understand client needs & goals
R e s e a r c h
Technical requirements & limitations
Conceptual Research previous versions
Design
Research competition
Mockups & Use cases
Prototypes
Task analysis
Information architecture
Production
Mockup generation
Mockup evaluation
Launch Production
Quality assurance
User problem tracking

15. Identify users/audiences
Understand user needs & goals
Requirements
Analysis
Understand client needs & goals
R e s e a r c h
Technical requirements & limitations
Conceptual Research previous versions
Design
Research competition
Mockups & Use cases
Prototypes
Task analysis
Information architecture
Production
Mockup generation
Mockup evaluation
Launch Production
Quality assurance
User problem tracking