Card sorting

Abstract: "Universal Methods of Design is an immensely useful survey of research and design methods used by today's top practitioners, and will serve as a crucial reference for any designer grappling with really big problems. This book has a place on every designer's bookshelf, including yours!" -David Sherwin, Principal Designer at frog and author of Creative Workshop: 80 Challenges to Sharpen Your Design Skills "Universal Methods of Design is a landmark method book for the field of design. This tidy text compiles and summarizes 100 of the most widely applicable and effective methods of design-research, analysis, and ideation-the methods that every graduate of a design program should know, and every professional designer should employ. Methods are concisely presented, accompanied by information about the origin of the technique, key research supporting the method, and visual examples. Want to know about Card Sorting, or the Elito Method? What about Think-Aloud Protocols? This book has them all and more in readily digestible form. The authors have taken away our excuse for not using the right method for the job, and in so doing have elevated its readers and the field of design. UMOD is an essential resource for designers of all levels and specializations, and should be one of the go-to reference tools found in every designer's toolbox." -William Lidwell, author of Universal Principles of Design, Lecturer of Industrial Design, University of Houston This comprehensive reference provides a thorough and critical presentation of 100 research methods, synthesis/analysis techniques, and research deliverables for human centered design, delivered in a concise and accessible format perfect for designers, educators, and students. Whether research is already an integral part of a practice or curriculum, or whether it has been unfortunately avoided due to perceived limitations of time, knowledge, or resources, Universal Methods of Design serves as an invaluable compendium of method

Abstract: Part I: Why Research is Good and How It Fits Into Product Development 1. Typhoon: A Fable 2. Do a Usability Test Now! 3. Balancing Needs Through Iterative Development 4. The User Experience Part II: User Experience Research Techniques 5. The Research Plan 6. Universal tools: Recruiting and Interviewing 7. User Profiles 8. Contextual Inquiry, Task Analysis, Card Sorting 9. Focus Groups 10. Usability Tests 11. Surveys 12. Ongoing Relationship 13. Log Files and Customer Support 14. Competitive Research 15. Others' Hard Work: Published Information and Consultants 16. Emerging Techniques Part III: Communicating Results 17. Reports and Presentations 18. Creating a User-Centered Corporate Culture Appendices A. The Budget Research Lab B. Common Survey Questions C. Observer Instructions Bibliography Index About the Author