The process map outlines the processes that encompass a user-centered web design workflow. The tasks performed and the order in which they are performed depends on the type of project, team, requirements, and timeline of the project. Although the map was created for web design, it can be used as a guide for any user-centered design. 

Check child nodes for explanation of each step.


User-Centered Web Design Process Map

Wireframing is the practice of providing a clear overview of the page structure, layout, information architecture, user flow, functionality, and intended behaviors through a two-dimensional outline. 
Wireframing takes place during the exploratory phase of the product life cycle in order to test scope, collaborate, and identify requirements. 


Wireframing

User-centered design is an iterative process that focuses on an understanding of the users and their context in all stages of design and development.

Rutgers University

In user-centered design, the user knows best and acts as the guide to the designer; the designer's role is to translate the users' needs and goals into an effective design solution.

User-Centered Design

The Gestalt Principles of Design are guidelines that assist in creating user-centered design. They were first proposed after studying human perception and behavior. These principles can apply to all elements of design, including interaction and interface design. 

Gestalt Principles of Design

Often called UI, user interface design is the design of screens that connect a user to machines and software and allow the user to manipulate them. UI focuses on maximizing usability and developing a user experience that is intuitive for humans. The goal of user interface design is to keep interactions between the interface and the user as simple and efficient as possible while still supporting enough capability for users to accomplish their goals. Graphic design plays a key role in creating an interface that affords its uses and functions. Because of this, the interface design process requires a balance between technical functionality and visual elements so the system not only operate properly, but also makes sense to the user.

User Interface Design

User centered design process

The aim of the process is to capture and address the whole user experience. Therefore, your design team should include professionals from across multiple disciplines (e.g., ethnographers, psychologists, software and hardware engineers), as well as domain experts, stakeholders and the users themselves. Experts may carry out evaluations of the produced designs, using design guidelines and criteria.

Teams for User-Centered Design

"User experience design (UXD, UED, or XD) is the process of supporting user behavior[1] through usability, usefulness, and desirability provided in the interaction with a product. User experience design encompasses traditional human–computer interaction (HCI) design and extends it by addressing all aspects of a product or service as perceived by users. Experience design (XD) is the practice of designing products, processes, services, events, omnichannel journeys, and environments with a focus placed on the quality of the user experience and culturally relevant solutions. Experience design is not driven by a single design discipline. Instead, it requires a cross-discipline perspective that considers multiple aspects of the brand/ business/ environment/ experience from product, packaging, and retail environment to the clothing and attitude of employees."

Elements of "user experience design" include:
- Research
- Visual Design
- Information Architecture
- Interaction Design
- Usability
- Accessibility
- Human-computer Interaction

User Experience (UX) Design

Psychology plays a big part in a user's experience with an application. Understanding how our designs are perceived, we can make adjustments so that the apps we create are more effective in achieving the goals of the user.

- Isolation effect
- Latency and Regency Effect
- Cognitive Load
- Hick’s Law
- Gestalt Laws of Proximity

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