D(esign) Playbook - Tools
Tools
Personal Statement: Start with this great single artifact visualization (from Userinterviews.com) which presents class leading options in their respective use categories (2019) https://www.userinterviews.com/ux-research-field-guide-chapter/user-research-tools
Keys to Tools:
Digital Visual Design
Key Thoughts: The “bread and butter” digital design tool for our studios and designers. This is the category that is most subject to being influenced by the history and muscle memory our team members have developed and also by whatever may be most en vogue during the current cycle of refreshing. My current bias on this choice is informed most by making this selection based on two questions - i.) is the tool we select about to generate the outputs that we need efficiently and without significant compromise and ii.) does it afford the ability for synchronous collaboration, asynchronous work through various devices (e.g. notebooks, tablets, phones) regardless of location, and incorporates versioning that meets the team’s need.
Tools to Know: Sketch, Figma, Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop, InVision Studio
Current Preference/General Recommendation: Figma, the ability for multiple designers to be working synchronously and the web based aspect of this tool, allowing it to be used on an ever growing set of devices (see iPad browsers in desktop mode).
Prototyping
Key Thoughts: Generate the fidelity of interactions/animations that are needed to demonstrate the experience we are designing. Additionally. it is important to consider how these prototypes are shared/consumed by our stakeholders. How much effort may be involved in transmitting and how much technical prowess will be needed to consume/utilize these prototypes…fill-in the blank name of your SVP partners, would they be able to manage it without a tech aid?
Tools to Know: Axure, Flinto. JustinMind, Adobe XD, Proto.io, Framer, Principle
Current Preference/General Recommendation: For mobile, Adobe XD. For Web & Larger, Framer. Also consider having principle to achieve very specific interactions/animations.
Synchronous White Boarding/Collaboration
Key Thoughts: This need may be meet by a recommended digital visual design tool if it allows for large numbers of users on the same file/artboard synchronously. It is often best to break out this pure “whiteboarding” type real-time tool out from that batch of options. A differentiator may be incorporated templates and or integration options.
Tools to Know: Miro, Mural, Google Jamboard, Microsoft Whiteboard, Stormboard
Current Preference/General Recommendation: Mural, its templates (including LUMA) and integrations (including Post-Its app) make this a continuing strong option. If you have specific hardware tools like a Google Jamboard or Microsoft Hub/Hub2 then it may make sense to explore the specific software options to pair with that hardware.
Research Tools (too need/scenario specific to make general recommendations) - Airtable and Aurelis
Usability/User Testing & Optimization (too need/scenario specific to make general recommendations) - Tobii, Usabillia, Userzoom, Validately, dScout, Optimal Workshop, Optimizely, CrazyEgg, Adobe Target, Google Analytics
Notable Wireframing Tool: Balsamiq for a great history of a simple tool that has strong template library to output “low fidelity, sketch style” digital wireframes.
Notable User Flow Tool: FlowMapp, up until now my preference has been developing a strong asset library to use with your digital visual design tool of choice in order to achieve this need, however this tool is beginning to differentiate itself in terms of the quality and usefulness for this purpose.
Citations/Learn More:
https://www.userinterviews.com/ux-research-field-guide-chapter/user-research-tools
https://www.mockplus.com/blog/post/ux-tools
*Last updated 4/24/2020, please note this is for the purpose of allowing me to document and evolve my thoughts, experiences, and approach. I’d very much appreciate the opportunity to learn from you sharing yours. Reach out to me at jaydubois@gmail.com or @jaydubois