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As product designers, writing case studies for our projects is crucial. Case studies allow us to immerse the audience in the designer's perspective, be it fellow designers, potential employers, recruiters, or individuals in other tech fields. Writing a case study is a win-win for everyone and something every designer should endeavor.
As a designer, I've come across numerous case studies, including those I've crafted myself. While reviewing these case studies, I often unearth hidden insights, gaining a deeper understanding of the design processes involved.
Recently, I encountered a compelling case study on Medium authored by Jony Vino, which inspired me to share the insights and lessons I gained from it. Let's delve into the details.
The project I explored was a collaborative effort by Jony Vino, alongside Addi Hou and Ke Hou. Johny Vino took on the role of an interaction designer.
This particular project involved enhancing an existing product, so there was already an identifiable target audience.
Introduction
Firstly, they identified the target audience for the New York Times as tech-savvy young adults between the ages of 20 and 40, with access to digital devices and busy, active schedules, primarily based in New York.
They proceeded to research the habits of young people, how they access news, and the primary and secondary devices they use.
They derived insights from the 2017 Reuters Digital News report, analyzing global news consumption trends, pinpointing three problems in the process:
- Global inflation in the use of news apps.
- Payment as a determining factor in news consumption among young people.
- The need for young people to schedule their day-to-day lives, leaving little time for reading newspapers.
Research
Next, they conducted user research, employing user surveys and interviews with selected participants representing the target users. They meticulously analyzed the data from the user research and identified three key areas for improvement. They then visually mapped out the thoughts and responses of the users using an Empathy map to comprehend their emotional connection to the product.
Ideation
During the ideation phase, they generated 15 key solutions and rigorously tested their ideas with the VP of design at the New York Times. They created storyboards to illustrate the various ways users could interact with the product and explore the planned features.
Design
They proceeded to create wireframes for the new features and tested them to determine user preferences. Finally, they developed a final prototype and conceived two modes for the product.
What I Learned
1. I learned about the paramount importance of planning. These designers set a timeframe and meticulously mapped out their design process. This enabled them to work within the defined timeframe and mitigated the risk of scope creep affecting the project.
2. I observed how they consistently applied various design principles throughout the stages of their design process.
3. They ensured their decisions were data-driven and rigorously tested every assumption with real-life data.
4. Lastly, I couldn't help but notice how they conducted their initial product testing during the wireframing stage. This seemingly minor detail allowed them to identify inconsistencies in their design decisions and iterate before creating prototypes, significantly streamlining their workload.
In conclusion, the author emphasized the significance of incorporating even the smallest features into a product and shed light on the extensive research required for even the most minor improvements. They also underscored the importance of asking questions, illustrating how it aids in the design process.
Thank you for reading. If you'd like to view this case study, here's the link.