21 episodes

Is your digital products confusing users? This podcast series is your one-stop shop for conquering usability challenges! Join us as we delve into the world of user-centered design, exploring the entire usability testing process from start to finish. We'll uncover how to understand user needs, plan effective tests, analyse results, and leverage insights to create products users love. This podcast caters to all experience levels, offering user research techniques and ethical considerations. Learn how the think-aloud method can supercharge your usability testing for a stellar user experience.

xploreUX Cast Obruche Orugbo, PhD

    • Technology

Is your digital products confusing users? This podcast series is your one-stop shop for conquering usability challenges! Join us as we delve into the world of user-centered design, exploring the entire usability testing process from start to finish. We'll uncover how to understand user needs, plan effective tests, analyse results, and leverage insights to create products users love. This podcast caters to all experience levels, offering user research techniques and ethical considerations. Learn how the think-aloud method can supercharge your usability testing for a stellar user experience.

    0021 User Profiling - Segmentation for Robust and Reliable Usability Testing

    0021 User Profiling - Segmentation for Robust and Reliable Usability Testing

    🎙️ Welcome to UXplore Cast!🎙️

    🚀 User Profiling - Segmentation for Robust and Reliable Usability Testing



    Usability is like oxygen: essential but often unnoticed when everything works smoothly. A confusing website or product can quickly turn a positive experience negative. This is where effective usability testing comes in. However, even the best-designed tests can miss the mark if you target the wrong audience.



    User profiling and segmentation are the keys to unlocking the true potential of usability testing. By understanding the different characteristics, needs, and expectations of your user base, you can create targeted tests that yield far richer insights.



    🔍 Why User Profiling Matters

    Imagine looking at a blurry picture. You can make out some shapes, but the details are lost. Usability testing without profiling is like that blurry picture. Profiling helps us sharpen the focus, revealing distinct user segments with specific needs, behaviors, and goals.



    💡 The Power of Segmentation

    Think about it: a teenager learning a new social media app has vastly different needs from a grandparent navigating a banking website. By segmenting users, we unlock a treasure trove of benefits:

    🎯 Laser-Focused Test Scenarios

    👥 Targeted Participant Recruitment

    🔍 Uncovering Unique Usability Issues



    🛠️ Building a Roadmap for Reliable Usability Testing

    1. Gather Data

    2. Identify Segmentation Criteria

    3. Develop User Personas

    4. Refine & Validate



    🏋️ Segmentation in Action: A Fitness App Example

    Segment 1: Fitness Enthusiasts (regular gym-goers, familiar with terminology)

    Segment 2: Fitness Newbies (limited experience, looking for guidance)



    Test Scenarios

    Segment 1: Focus on advanced features like workout customization and fitness tracking.

    Segment 2: Prioritize tasks related to ease of use, finding beginner-friendly workouts, and understanding instructions.



    Recruiting Participants:

    Segment 1: Target individuals with a history of fitness app usage or gym memberships.

    Segment 2: Focus on those with minimal fitness experience, perhaps people who have signed up for introductory exercise classes at a local gym.



    Expected Issues:

    Segment 1: Users might struggle with a poorly designed interface or lack of intuitive navigation for advanced features.

    Segment 2: Users might find the terminology confusing or lack basic guidance on using the app's core functionalities.



    🌟 The Benefits of Segmentation

    Prioritize Development: Allocate development resources based on user needs.

    Tailored User Experience: Customize the overall user experience for each segment.



    🕵️ Keeping Your User Profiles Fresh

    Schedule Regular Check-Ins: Revisit your user profiles regularly.

    Tap into User Data: Incorporate feedback from surveys, customer support chats, and social media comments.

    Stay Informed: Keep an eye on market trends and competitors.



    🎉 Final Thoughts

    User profiling and segmentation are the keys to unlocking the true potential of usability testing. By taking the time to understand the different characteristics, needs, and expectations of your user base, you can move beyond generic testing and delve into targeted sessions that yield far richer insights.



    🚀 Head over to “x” at xploreUXCast, tweet
    your experiences with usability heuristics! We’d love to hear from you.



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    G E T I N T O U C H

    obruche@xploreux.com

    On X @xploreuxcast

    For more tips check out our website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠xploreUX⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, See how we create delightful product experience from our list of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠services⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

     

    🎧 Thanks for joining us on UXplore Cast! Remember, successful UX design starts with understanding your users. So, go forth and segment! Until next time, happy exploring. Cheers, and have a good one! 🎉 🌟






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    • 13 min
    0020 Usability Heuristics - Guiding Principles for Testing User Needs

    0020 Usability Heuristics - Guiding Principles for Testing User Needs

    🎙️ xploreUX Cast: Usability Heuristics:
    Guiding Principles for Testing User Needs 🎙️

     

    🔦 Usability heuristics are essential tools
    for UX professionals, helping identify potential issues before users encounter
    them. They ensure designs are intuitive, efficient, and delightful to use.

     

    By listening to this episode, you’ll gain a deeper
    understanding of usability heuristics, learn how to apply them effectively, and
    discover how they can transform your user interface from frustrating to
    fantastic, creating truly exceptional user experiences.

    🧠 "Heuristics" are mental
    shortcuts that help us make decisions quickly. In UX, usability heuristics are
    established principles that evaluate the user experience of a product or
    service.

     

    🌟 Benefits of Using Usability Heuristics 🌟

    🎧 Practical Tips for Applying Heuristics:

    🌐 Expanding the Heuristic Toolkit 🌐

    🔍 Addressing Limitations of Heuristics:

     

    🧩 Combine heuristic evaluation with other
    UX research methods like usability testing, card sorting, and A/B testing for a
    comprehensive understanding of user needs.

     

    ✨ Usability heuristics are powerful tools in every
    UX professional's arsenal. By understanding and applying these principles, you
    can create designs that are not just aesthetically pleasing but also intuitive, efficient, and a joy to use.

     

    🚀 Head over to “x” at xploreUXCast, tweet
    your experiences with usability heuristics! We’d love to hear from you.





    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠xploreUX Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



    G E T I N T O U C H

    obruche@xploreux.com

    On X @xploreuxcast

    For more tips check out our website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠xploreUX⁠⁠⁠⁠, See how we create delightful product experience from our list of ⁠⁠⁠⁠services⁠⁠⁠⁠.

     

    🎧 Thanks for joining me on this exploration
    of usability heuristics. Prioritising user needs throughout the design process makes a positive impact.

     

    Until next time, happy exploring!

    Cheers and have a good one. 🌟







































































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    • 13 min
    0019 Defining Usability Goals: Setting the Stage for Testing

    0019 Defining Usability Goals: Setting the Stage for Testing

    Here's a concise version of the previous answer focusing on SEO optimization:

    Target Keywords: Usability Goals, Usability Testing

    This episode of xploreUX cast dives into defining usability goals, the crucial first step for successful usability testing. Clear goals act as your compass, guiding everything from test design to participant selection.

    Usability goals are specific, measurable objectives that assess user experience during testing. They ensure focused testing, efficient resource allocation, data-driven design decisions, and stakeholder alignment.

    We explore three main types of usability goals:


    Efficiency: How quickly and easily can users complete tasks?
    Effectiveness: Can users achieve their desired outcomes?
    Satisfaction: How enjoyable is the user experience?

    Crafting SMART Usability Goals:


    Specific: Align goals with user needs and key tasks.
    Measurable: Use metrics like task completion time or error rates.
    Achievable: Set realistic benchmarks.
    Relevant: Focus on functionalities critical to user success and business goals.
    Time-bound: Define a timeframe for achieving each goal.

    Remember: Usability goals are a living document, evolving as you learn more about your users.

    Visit xploreux.com and subscribe for more UX insights!



    Ready to dominate rapid UX research? Hit play!



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    G E T I N T O U C H

    obruche@xploreux.com

    On X @xploreuxcast

    For more tips check out our website ⁠⁠⁠⁠xploreUX⁠⁠⁠, See how we create delightful product experience from our list of ⁠⁠⁠services⁠⁠⁠.


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    • 16 min
    0018 Contextual Inquiry - Diving Deep into User Needs

    0018 Contextual Inquiry - Diving Deep into User Needs

    Listen to the xploreUX Cast and discover how Contextual Inquiry can transform your understanding of user needs.



    In this episode of xploreUX Cast, we unlock the secrets of Contextual Inquiry, a powerful user research technique for UX designers.



    Go beyond surveys and interviews! Learn how to observe users in their natural environment to uncover hidden needs and design experiences that truly resonate.

    You'll discover:


    What is Contextual Inquiry and Why It Matters
    How to Conduct Contextual Inquiry Sessions (Step-by-Step)
    Unveil Unspoken Needs & Build Deeper User Understanding
    Craft User-Centered Designs Through Empathy
    Bonus: Go Beyond the Basics with Multi-Method Research & Storytelling

    Plus:


    Ethical Considerations for Responsible Research
    Tips to Get Started and Overcome Challenges.



    If you're a UX designer, product manager, or anyone who wants to create products that resonate with users, this episode is for you!

    Listen, subscribe, and leave a review to join the xploreUX conversation! Share your experiences with Contextual Inquiry and let's keep learning from each other.

    Contextual Inquiry, User Research, UX Design, User Needs, Empathy, Storytelling



    Ready to dominate rapid UX research? Hit play!



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    G E T I N T O U C H

    obruche@xploreux.com

    For more tips check out our website ⁠⁠⁠xploreUX⁠⁠, See how we create delightful product experience from our list of ⁠⁠services⁠⁠.


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    • 18 min
    0017 The Psychology of Usability - Understanding User Needs

    0017 The Psychology of Usability - Understanding User Needs

    xploreUX Podcast: The Psychology of Usability - Understanding User Needs

    Do you ever wonder why some apps are just so easy and enjoyable to use, while others leave you feeling frustrated and confused?

    The answer lies in the fascinating world of usability psychology! This episode of xploreUX dives deep into the minds of users, exploring the hidden desires, emotions, and thought patterns that shape our interactions with technology.



    In this episode, you'll learn: By understanding the psychology of usability, you can design experiences that are not only functional but also delightful to use.



    Tune in and discover how to create user journeys that resonate, engage, and keep people coming back for more!



    UX design, usability psychology, user experience, cognitive biases, user needs, Maslow's Hierarchy of Motivation



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    G E T I N T O U C H

    Connect on X @xploreuxcast

    obruche@xploreux.com



    For more tips check out our website ⁠⁠xploreUX⁠, See how we create delightful product experience from our list of ⁠services⁠.




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    • 17 min
    0016 The UX Landscape - Navigating Usability Challenges

    0016 The UX Landscape - Navigating Usability Challenges

    The User Experience Landscape: Navigating Usability Challenges

    Feeling lost in the ever-changing world of UX? This episode of xploreUX dives into the exciting yet challenging world of User Experience (UX) design.

    I explores the key challenges UX professionals face today, from keeping up with mobile-first design to navigating the tightrope between personalization and data privacy.



    I also explore strategies to overcome these challenges and design user experiences that are delightful and successful.

    Join us as we discuss:


    The evolving user and their ever-growing expectations
    Designing for mobile-first dominance
    Balancing personalization with user privacy concerns
    Adapting to new technologies like AR/VR
    The undervalued UX: How to advocate for user-centered design

    This episode is packed with actionable insights to help you navigate the UX landscape and design experiences that win.



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    ⁠⁠⁠⁠xploreUX Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠



    G E T I N T O U C H

    obruche@xploreux.com

    On X @xploreuxcast

    For more tips check out our website ⁠⁠⁠⁠xploreUX⁠⁠⁠, See how we create delightful product experience from our list of ⁠⁠⁠services⁠⁠⁠.


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    • 15 min

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