What I learned from srcLogic's UI/UX Cohort
Written By: Taher Soliman
Recently, srcLogic completed its first internal User Interface and User Experience cohort. The primary goal of the cohort was to understand the intricacies of good UI and UX to become a well-rounded developer capable of comprehending and catering towards client needs.
As a participant in the UI/UX Cohort, I had the opportunity to learn about best practices for user interface and user experience design. Through a series of assignments and workshops, I gained valuable insights into the design process and the importance of user-centered design.
One of the initial assignments I received was to redesign and improve an existing website through the creation of a wireframe. Craigslist was specifically assigned to me and a few others to work on independently by the instructors of the cohort. The purpose of this project was to take the established website and analyze its current design, identifying areas that could benefit from a modern, user-friendly, and efficient revamp. The wireframe demonstrated how thoughtful design choices could significantly improve the overall user experience and customer satisfaction for our clients.
After completing the Craigslist wireframe, we were assigned to teams and tasked with tackling an existing business problem by designing a solution through the iterative design process. Our specific objective was to improve the peer review process. One of the initial steps in this design journey involved conducting a workshop to identify and analyze the current challenges associated with the peer review system. To gain a deeper understanding of user needs and expectations, we conducted user interviews, ensuring that any proposed improvements would resonate with the targeted users and address the identified pain points. Using this knowledge, we utilized a Mural board as a collaborative platform to brainstorm ideas and develop innovative solutions that would address the issues identified from the user interviews.
Using the insights gained from the user interview and the Mural board workshop, I proceeded to create a wireframe for the improved peer review process. A wireframe is a visual representation or blueprint of a web page, mobile app, or any other digital interface that outlines the basic structure, layout, and functionality of the design. In this case, I used the application Figma to develop the wireframe, which helped me establish a foundation for the design process, ensuring that the proposed improvements in the peer review pro process were effectively planned and implemented.
Once the wireframe was completed, we conducted usability testing, a process that evaluates the design by having real users interact with it and provide feedback on its functionality, ease of use, and overall experience. This step was invaluable in identifying areas for improvement and ensuring that the design was truly user-centered. Usability testing is an essential component of the iterative design process, where designs are continually refined and improved based on user feedback and findings, ultimately leading to a more effective and satisfying end product.
Finally, I created a case study that brought together all the elements of the design process I had undertaken, including user interviews, wireframing, usability testing, and iterative refinements. I then demoed the wireframe for the cohort members during a presentation. This showcase allowed me to exhibit my design skills and highlight the value of a user-centered design approach in solving all the customers' pain points with their application.
Overall, my time in the UI/UX Cohort was an incredibly valuable experience. I learned the importance of user-centered design, gained hands-on experience with the design process, and had the opportunity to work on improving my wireframe capabilities. The skills and knowledge I gained during this cohort will serve me well in my career here at srcLogic and bring my newly founded expertise in UI/UX to our Pega solutions for our clients’ needs.