UX methods

List of Common UX Methods with Supporting Articles

Here are various UX methods used throughout the design process, along with supporting articles for further exploration:

User Research Methods

• Surveys and Questionnaires:
  • A Beginner's Guide to Designing Effective Surveys (opens in a new tab) by Interaction Design Foundation
• Interviews:
  • The Art of the User Interview (opens in a new tab) by Nielsen Norman Group
• Personas:
  • The Persona Creation Process (opens in a new tab) by UX Collective
• Contextual Inquiry:
  • Contextual Inquiry: Inspire Design by Studying Context (opens in a new tab) by Nielsen Norman Group
• Card Sorting:
  • How to Run a Card Sorting Exercise (opens in a new tab) by Usability.gov
• Diary Studies:
  • How to Conduct a Diary Study (opens in a new tab) by UX Matters

Usability Testing Methods

• Moderated Testing:
  • Moderated vs. Unmoderated Usability Testing (opens in a new tab) by UserZoom
• Unmoderated Testing:
  • The Pros and Cons of Unmoderated Usability Testing (opens in a new tab) by Loop11
• A/B Testing:
  • A/B Testing Guide for Designers (opens in a new tab) by Smashing Magazine
• Clickstream Analysis:
  • Understanding User Behavior with Clickstream Analysis (opens in a new tab) by UX Collective

Prototyping and Design Methods

• Wireframing:
  • The Basics of Wireframing in UX Design (opens in a new tab) by UXPin
• Prototyping:
  • Prototyping: How to Make a High-Fidelity Prototype (opens in a new tab) by CareerFoundry
• Storyboarding:
  • Storyboards: A Quick Guide for Beginners (opens in a new tab) by CareerFoundry
• Mockups:
  • The Value of Mockups in the Design Process (opens in a new tab) by Balsamiq

Evaluation and Analysis Methods

• Heuristic Evaluation:
  • 10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface Design (opens in a new tab) by Nielsen Norman Group
• Cognitive Walkthrough:
  • Cognitive Walkthrough: A Method for Theory-Based Evaluation of User Interfaces (opens in a new tab) (Research Paper) by John M. Carroll, et al.
• Accessibility Audits:
  • Accessibility Audits: Why They Matter and How to Get Started (opens in a new tab) by Smashing Magazine
• Eye Tracking:
  • Understanding Eye Tracking in UX Design (opens in a new tab) by UX Collective

Iterative Design Methods

• Lean UX:
  • Lean UX: Getting Out of the Deliverables Business (opens in a new tab) by Jeff Gothelf
• Agile UX:
  • Integrating UX Design with Agile Development (opens in a new tab) by Interaction Design Foundation
• Design Sprints:
  • The Ultimate Guide to Design Sprints (opens in a new tab) by Nielsen Norman Group

Analysis and Feedback Methods

• Analytics and Metrics:
  • A Beginner's Guide to Web Analytics (opens in a new tab) by Optimizely
• User Feedback Sessions:
  • Effective Methods for Gathering User Feedback (opens in a new tab) by Usability Geek
• Post-Launch Reviews:
  • Post-Launch Review Checklist (opens in a new tab) by Usability.gov