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PRODUCT DESIGN IS CHAOTIC
Having a repeatable process leads to success.
I use the following process with subtle changes between physical and digital products.
DEFINE
The definition phase is used to solidify a design brief to guide and maintain the project's trajectory. I work with the key stakeholders to determine all the "W's.
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- What is the objective?
- Why should this product exist?
- What are the business goals and opportunities?
- Who is this intended for?
- What are the preliminary requirements?
- What are the known constraints?
- When will this be launched?
UNDERSTAND
The requirements, objectives, and goals must be understood for project success. The data collected during research provides a foundation to make informed design choices while avoiding project pitfalls.
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I use the following methods dependent on circumstances:
- Develop a research plan
- Exploratory Research
- Methods (Summative & Formative)
- Define user personas #qualitative
- Develop Mental Models #qualitative
- Competitive Analysis #quantitative ( * completed after early conceptual phase tasks as to not be influenced by existing solutions )
- Existing IP
- Who is the competition
- What does the competitor do?
- Individual in-depth interviews #qualitative
- Observational #qualitative
- Surveys #quantitative
- Feedback Review #qualitative
- Audit #qualitative
- Formative usability testing #qualitative
- Methods (Summative & Formative)
- Research Analysis
- What are the metrics of success?
- What additional risks and challenges have been identified through research?
- Does the research change any of the project's definition or direction?
CONCEPTUALIZE
Over the years I have refined the conceptualization process to maximize collaboration, innovation, and efficiency. Validation is intertwined and cyclical during the concept phase to ensure effort isn't spent at a dead end.
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My conceptualization process involves the following procedure:
- Brainstorming
- Mind Mapping
- Thumbnail Sketching
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- Analog Prototyping
- 3-D prints
- Sketch Models
- Proof of concepts
- Renderings
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- Digital Prototyping
- Story Boards
- User flows
- Wireframes (Validation Phase 1)
- High Fidelity Mockups (Validation Phase 2)
- High Fidelity Prototypes (Validation Phase 3)
VALIDATE
To quantify design effectiveness and project execution, I use the data gathered from research and additional testing models to validate concept intuitions.
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Analog Validation Process
My validation process involves the following procedure and methods:
- Develop Testing Plan
- Execute Testing utilizing the following methods as appropriate
* Benchmark testing
* Accessibility evaluation
* A/B
* Usability-bug review
* Design Review
* Usability feedback & Testing Review # qualitative & quantitative
* Prototype Tooling
- First Articles
- Mechanical
- Mechanical
- High Speed Video Analysis
- FEA
- Static and Dynamic
- Bio Chemical
- Chemical
- Mechanical
- First Articles
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Digital Validation Process
My validation process involves the following procedure and methods:
- Develop Testing Plan
- Execute Testing utilizing the following methods as appropriate
- Benchmark testing
- Accessibility evaluation
- A/B
- Usability-bug review
- Design Review
- Usability feedback & Testing Review #qualitative & quantitive
- Wireframe Prototype usability feedback & Testing
- High Fidelity Mockups usability feedback & Testing
- High Fidelity Prototypes usability feedback & Testing
IMPLEMENT
During implementation, I strive to cater to the needs of engineering while ensuring the project goals will be met.
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Analog Deliverables as needed:
- Manufacturing Plan
- Manufacturing Design Transfer
- Mfg 3-D Models
- Mfg Drawings
- First Article Samples
- Testing
- Manufacturing Design Transfer
- Marketing Support
- Instruction Illustrations
- Package Design
- Product Photography
- Animated & Still Renderings
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Digital Deliverables as needed:
- Style Guide
- Interaction animations to guide the software engineering
- Asset Library
- Design Handoff (Redline Specifications)
- “UML” State Diagrams
REVIEW
A project review improves future outcomes by identifying the mistakes encountered while reinforcing effective methods.
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I consider the following questions:
- What lessons were learned during the project?
- What compromises were made and why?
- What should be different next time?
- How was the project successful?
