Back in Black
Since being back in New Zealand I’ve heard people reckoning we are a few years behind Europe and the States in terms of the acceptance of UX. I’m back in London for a few weeks, consulting for Flow Interactive, … so if it’s true we kiwis are behind, I’m in an industry crystal ball here. [...]
The oldest trick in the customer experience book
Every Tuesday NZ business strategist Lance Wiggs issues ‘Three ways to improve your business’, Last week at number two is ‘Meet your customers’. This simple advice represents the grass roots of a customer-centric approach to building a great experience for your customers, and competitive advantage for your business. So, if this approach is simple yet [...]
UX Research participants. Harder to pick than a broken nose?
Recruiting the right participants is a numbers game, so I was unsure sure what to expect returning to New Zealand from London. All the insights, opportunities and reality-check moments which emerge from customer research or usability studies can be thrown down the pan if you’re not talking to the right people. If your target sample [...]
Code Blacks’ winning website built on empathy
Yes, the New Zealand ‘Code Blacks’ team has retained the trophy. Full Code Press is a competition big on challenges: Build a charity website from scratch in a mere 24 hours with a team you’ve barely met in a tiny room in the middle of a seething exhibition hall for a mystery client, with reporters [...]
Kiwi teacher’s User Centered Design approach wins over students (and Microsoft)
A geography teacher from an Auckland school is hailed as the ‘most innovative teacher in the world’. Delivering lessons via students mobile phones. Nathan’s approach: Understanding his audience Observing their behavior Building empathy with their needs Harnessing their input …and ultimately innovating learner experiences in an education system stymied by tradition. Here are some cues [...]
Personas. Journey or destination?
After a personas workshop last week I came out feeling the process was actually more valuable than the personas themselves. Along with eye tracking, personas are a frequently debated UX method, usually judged by the end product, rather than the process of defining these hypothetical characters. I’m convinced that a set of personas based on [...]
Those who adapt, survive.
When it comes to adapting, we Kiwis are experts. Our ‘Number 8 wire’ attitude sees us modify, improve and invent products out of necessity, or just to ‘make do’. This Wellington cyclist shows Kiwis are not afraid of some prototyping to find a solution, and stay safe on the road. Businesses wanting to survive in [...]
Is User Experience ‘The New Black’ in NZ ?
I’m visiting the main cities in NZ to find out ‘who’s doing what?’ in the area of User Experience and User Centred Design …I’ve met couple of dozen people so far… So, what lies below the surface of the words User Experience? And is it more than just a buzzword? Agencies practising User Centred Design [...]
Grass roots customer research. The visitors book
Ok, it’s an occupational hazzard, but from a curious browse through the guestbook at a Bed and Breakfast there were some pretty clear patterns emerging. From years worth of entries a clear picture emerged of the type, nationality and values of the guests , plus some insight into what they think are the most (and [...]