Week 5 Journey - Define website structure [D4G: what if]

This week, my reflection will be structured according to the Integrated Reflective Cycle framework (Bassot, 2013).

[Figure 1: Integrated Reflective Cycle framework]

The experience:

Throughout this week, my main focus was on the website's research and planning phase. First, I explored analogous custom product websites for inspiration. I identified key features to incorporate into the design.

[Figure 2: Website layout & inspiration, my miro]

Also, I created a rough outline of the site structure to begin the design process. I scoped my website content by plans A, B, and C.

[Figure 3: Website structure, my miro]

Finally, I identified my target audience and developed a user persona. Creating a user persona like Katie guides my design decisions by helping me empathize with my target audience's perspective, needs, and preferences (Veal et al., 2023).

[Figure 4: User persona, my miro]

Reflection on Action:

Looking back to the original purpose of making a website, why offer a website that allows customers to customize their own glass stickers? In my opinion, sticker customization empowers customers to design according to their preferences, fostering engagement and emotional connection. This user-centric approach amplifies the overall experience, increasing adoption rates and product utilization. Being clear about the purpose helps me define the website's functionality.

As I researched similar websites, I was captivated by the diverse design approaches, user interactions, and visual aesthetics they offered. This process sparked inspiration and motivation to integrate effective elements into my own creative design. The task of defining the website's goals and objectives was clarifying. It provided a clear path for the design process, ensuring that every choice aligned with the overall purpose of the project.

Identifying the target audience and creating user personas proved insightful. It encouraged me to consider potential users' perspectives, preferences, and needs, laying the foundation for a user-centric design. Planning the website's structure and layout was both challenging and rewarding. It required a delicate balance between aesthetics and user-friendly navigation, prompting me to think critically about the user journey.

Theory:

Reflecting on this experience and relating it to my evolving expertise, I realized the importance of combining design theory with practical application. While I borrowed from theory, I also had to adapt the design approach to the context. My projects required user-centered innovation. It should not be a strict formula but a dynamic process. This time, for example, I was inspired by a user persona. Fictionalizing a real-world user can greatly enhance your understanding of your target audience's needs and preferences.

Preparation:

In preparing for future website design experiences, this reflection is a valuable resource. My approach to subsequent phases of the project will be significantly informed by the insights gained, particularly the emphasis on user-centricity. In the future, I will keep the user's needs in mind. Furthermore, I am better equipped to align each decision with the project's goals and users.

Overall, I'm happy with the progress made this week. By immersing myself in the user's perspective and drawing inspiration from the outside, I have gained a deeper clarity on my design direction. I have to say that this reflective framework has helped me sort through the experience and get some useful insights from it. A famous Chinese philosopher, Xunzi, taught his disciples to combine introspection with learning. Reflection definitely helps my design process. I'm excited to share my thoughts in my next reflection.

Reference:

Bassot, B. (2013). The Reflective Journal. Basingstoke: Palgrave

Lu, Fei. (2023). Website layout & inspiration. Miro. https://miro.com/app/board/uXjVMMgL1Cg=/RESOURCES

Lu, Fei. (2023). Website structure. Miro. https://miro.com/app/board/uXjVMMgL1Cg=/RESOURCES

Lu, Fei. (2023). User personas. Miro. https://miro.com/app/board/uXjVMMgL1Cg=/RESOURCES

Veal, R. et al. (2023) How to define a user persona, CareerFoundry. Available at: https://careerfoundry.com/en/blog/ux-design/how-to-define-a-user-persona/#:~:text=1.-,What%20is%20a%20user%20persona%3F,the%20product%20you’re%20designing.