My Design Approach

I learned at an early age that there is great pride in doing things well. I also learned that the hardest part of doing something well isn't getting it right. Its getting it right twice. Process is the only way to ensure that solutions are consistently correct.

research

I had a mentor who taught me that the key to a great solution is asking the proper questions. Each problem is unique and has its own limitations and details. This is where research comes in. It is important to define what it is that we are aiming for.  This step is about establishing where the problem is as well as where it is headed. Competitive analysis, heuristic research, persona creation and brand analysis among other methods are all tools that drive to a single aim. Understand the Problem so that we can fix it. 

Prototyping

Just as each project is different and requires different techniques so also goes the prototyping. I take the information and the data from the research and begin to formulate solutions to the problem. Wireframing, low and high fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes are all methods that I use to begin to find solutions to what ails you. 

analysis

This is the stage where the theories are put to the test and the ego goes out the window. We remove what isn't working and begin to test the solutions. How are the pieces working to accomplish the goals that were set in the research phase? What will the impact of the design decisions have on the users? It is in this stage the hard conversations are had and great progress is made as a result.

Iterate

If the key to real estate is, "Location Location Location" then I believe the key to good design is "Iterate Iterate Iterate". It is time to go through and iterate on the prototype refining and shaping the experience based on the previous round of analysis. The process becomes a cycle at this point and I go between analyzing and iterating until I have a well crafted experience.