Week 2: Thinking Like a UX Designer
Thinking like a UX designer INTRODUCTION
In this section of the Coursera Google UX Design Professional Certificate program, you will develop a strong understanding of user-centered design (UCD) and adopt the mindset of a UX designer. You’ll explore the frameworks utilized by professional designers and learn best practices for creating inclusive, accessible designs. Thinking across platforms is emphasized to ensure seamless user experiences tailored to meet individual needs.
By the end of this course section, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of UX design principles and the skills needed to design impactful products or services with user experience in mind throughout every stage of the process.
Learning Objectives:
- Define key terms in UX design
- Describe the principles of user-centered design
- Explain commonly used design frameworks
- Understand how UX designers think and design across platforms
- Explore the concept of equity-focused design
- Recognize the importance of accessibility in the design process
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ON THE USER
1. User-centered design is defined as a framework that “puts the user front-and-center.”
- True (CORRECT)
- False
Correct: User-centered design is a framework that prioritizes the user in the design process. It involves focusing on the user’s needs, experiences, and feedback, considering their story, emotions, and the insights gathered throughout the design process. This approach ensures that the final product is tailored to provide the best possible experience for the user.
2. Which design approach should a UX designer consider for users with limited experience navigating websites?
- Straightforward and simplistic design (CORRECT)
- Modern design with one or two colors
- Complex and elaborate design
- Colorful design with a variety of shapes and colors
Correct: To design a website for users with limited internet experience, a UX designer should prioritize a straightforward, simple layout. This includes using icons, navigation buttons, and features that are easy to understand and widely recognized. A clean, intuitive design with familiar elements ensures that users can navigate the site with ease and confidence, reducing potential frustration.
3. How does color modification assist users with low vision or eye strain?
- By using neutral colors on a screen
- By using bright colors on a screen
- By using high contrast of colors on a screen (CORRECT)
- By using translucent colors on a screen
Correct: Color modification enhances the color contrast on a screen, making it easier for users with low vision or eye strain to see content. This adjustment helps improve visibility by ensuring that text, images, and other elements stand out more clearly against the background, providing a more accessible experience for users with visual impairments.
4. What are some key questions a designer can ask to evaluate user experience? Select all that apply.
- Is the product equitable? (CORRECT)
- Does the product meet sales and marketing goals?
- Does the product solve the user’s problem? (CORRECT)
- Is the product easy to use? (CORRECT)
Correct: When it comes to evaluating user experience, some key questions a designer can ask are: Does the product solve the user’s problem? Is the product equitable? Is the product easy to use?
Correct: When it comes to evaluating user experience, some key questions a designer can ask are: Does the product solve the user’s problem? Is the product equitable? Is the product easy to use?
Correct: When it comes to evaluating user experience, some key questions a designer can ask are: Does the product solve the user’s problem? Is the product equitable? Is the product easy to use?
5. If a user has a low level of digital literacy, what might they have trouble interpreting? Select all that apply.
- Word Pronunciation
- Design patterns (CORRECT)
- Calls to action (CORRECT)
- Icons (CORRECT)
Correct: Users with low digital literacy may struggle to interpret or understand design patterns, calls to action, and icons, as these elements often rely on contextual, cultural, and experiential clues that assume a certain level of familiarity with the internet.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ON UX DESIGN BEST PRACTICES AND TRENDS
1. How is the term platform defined in UX design?\
- A platform is the medium where users experience a product. (CORRECT)
- A platform is how a person, the user, feels about interacting with, or experiencing, a product.
- A framework of a website or how it’s organized, categorized, and structured.
- A good, service, or feature.
Correct: Examples of mediums include: mobile phones, TV, tablets, and computer desktops.
2. Identify a few best practices to consider when designing websites for mobile users. Select all that apply.
- Create brand new gesture
- Place call-to-action buttons front and center (CORRECT)
- Simplify navigation (CORRECT)
- Reduce visual clutter (CORRECT)
Call-to-action buttons should be prominently placed, making it easy for users to complete the desired task. Simplifying navigation, using familiar gestures, and minimizing visual clutter are additional best practices for mobile design.
Navigation menus should be short and straightforward, as mobile interfaces offer limited space. Positioning call-to-action buttons prominently, using familiar gestures, and minimizing visual distractions are other best practices for mobile design.
Mobile devices have limited space but must still present the same essential information found on desktop versions. Keeping the design simple and minimal is key. Placing call-to-action buttons prominently, simplifying navigation, and using familiar gestures are best practices for mobile user design.
3. According to the principles of inclusive design, which of the following personal identifiers should you consider when making design choices? Select all that apply.
- Name
- Race (CORRECT)
- Economic Status (CORRECT)
- Gender (CORRECT)
Correct: Inclusive design involves making design decisions that consider various personal factors such as ability, race, economic status, language, age, and gender. By focusing on one specific type of user, inclusive design aims to create solutions that can benefit a wider range of users.
4. Which scenario is an example of equitable thinking or design?
- Creating a mobile app for all versions of iOS.
- Providing the same lunch for each guest attending a press conference.
- Providing closed captioning and an interpreter during an online presentation. (CORRECT)
- Supplying a laptop for all students in a computer lab.
Correct: Providing closed captioning and an interpreter during an online presentation exemplifies equitable thinking. It recognizes that not all attendees may have perfect hearing or vision, particularly those who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or have visual impairments, ensuring that everyone has equal access to the information being presented.
5. Design Thinking involves the following phases: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. During which phase is your primary goal to learn more about the user and their problems, wants, and needs, and the environment or context in which they’ll experience your design?
- Test
- Prototype
- Define
- Empathize (CORRECT)
Correct! During the empathize phase, the primary goal is to gain a deep understanding of the user’s problems, desires, and needs, as well as the environment or context in which they will interact with the design. This phase helps to develop empathy for the user, which is essential for creating solutions that truly address their challenges.
WEEKLY CHALLENGE 2: THINKING LIKE A UX DESIGNER
1. People who do not identify as having a disability also benefit from the assistive technologies created for accessibility.
- True (CORRECT)
- False
Correct: Assistive technologies designed for individuals with disabilities often provide benefits to people who do not identify as having a disability as well. These technologies, such as voice recognition software, screen readers, or customizable interfaces, can enhance usability and accessibility for a wider range of users, including those with temporary impairments or those in challenging environments. By improving the overall user experience, assistive technologies make products more inclusive for everyone.
2. What types of platforms does a designer need to keep in mind when designing a product? Select all that apply.
- Books
- Desktop (CORRECT)
- Television (TV) (CORRECT)
- Mobile apps (CORRECT)
Correct: A platform is the medium that users experience your product on, such as desktop, mobile web, mobile apps, tablets, wearables, TVs, smart displays, and more.
3. During the test phase (also known as the evaluate phase), you’re trying to determine if the design that you created actually solves the user’s problem. What are some best practices to follow when conducting usability testing during the test phase?
- Tell your users exactly how to accomplish the tasks you’ve asked them to do.
- Observe, listen, and take notes while the user completes the tasks (CORRECT)
- Analyze the usability testing results. (CORRECT)
- Test your prototype with real people who represent your user. (CORRECT)
Correct: To prevent bias from affecting the testing process, it’s crucial to observe, listen, and take notes while the user completes the tasks, asking questions only occasionally to gather additional insights.
Correct: The primary objective of usability testing is to gather feedback on the user experience with your design. Analyzing the results allows you to apply this feedback to make improvements and iterate on your design as needed.
Correct: When preparing for usability testing, it’s essential to recruit participants who accurately represent your target user.
4. Design Thinking involves the following phases: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test.
- True (CORRECT)
- False
Correct: Design Thinking involves the following phases: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test.
5. The term accessibility refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for _______.
- People with special access to premium features
- People who are deaf or hard of hearing (CORRECT)
- People with motor disabilities (CORRECT)
- People with vision disabilities (CORRECT)
Correct: As a UX designer, it’s crucial to consider users with disabilities—whether temporary, situational, or permanent—when designing features or new products. When it comes to accessibility in app and website design, there are four major categories of users with disabilities to take into account: people with motor disabilities, people who are deaf or hard of hearing, people with cognitive disabilities, and people with vision disabilities.
6. Which of these are steps in user-centered design? Select all that apply.
- Delete
- Understand (CORRECT)
- Specify (CORRECT)
- Design (CORRECT)
Correct: User-centered design has four steps: understand, specify, design, and evaluate.
7. In user-centered design, during which step do designers come up with ideas for what the product might look like?
- Evaluate
- Specify
- Design (CORRECT)
- Understand
Correct: UX engineers are not typically classified as UX designers. However, they often collaborate with the user experience team to turn design concepts into functional experiences, such as websites or apps.
8. As a UX designer, one of the key challenges of getting to know your users is avoiding taking a narrow view of the user, or making assumptions that they have the same needs and wants as you do. To reach as many users as possible, which of the following questions should you understand about your user? Select all that apply.
- How much are users willing to pay for the product service?
- How familiar are my users with technology? (CORRECT)
- Do my users have disabilities to consider–whether temporary, situational, or permanent? (CORRECT)
- Where are my users accessing the product or service? (CORRECT)
Correct: To reach as many users as possible, you need to consider factors such as whether users identify as having a disability, their level of familiarity with technology, how and where they access your product or service, and whether your research sample represents all potential users.
9. A framework creates the basic structure that focuses and supports a problem that you’re trying to solve, like an outline for a project. UX designers use various frameworks to organize their approach to designs based on ____________ and the type of organization they work for.
- their interviewing skills
- the type of products they design (CORRECT)
- their ability to multitask
- the design tools that they use
Correct: UX designers use various frameworks to structure their approach to designs, tailoring them based on the type of products they create and the organization they work for.
10. What is a platform?
- The screen size a designer selects to ensure the design is accessible for most users
- The medium through which users experience a product (CORRECT)
- The system a designer uses to create a functional and affordable design
- The design solution a designer uses to meet a user’s needs
Correct: A platform is the medium through which users interact with your product, such as desktop, mobile web, mobile apps, tablets, wearables, TVs, smart displays, and more.
11. What does an equity-focused design approach seek to do?
- Build products that meet the needs of specific individuals and groups who have been excluded in the past (CORRECT)
- Accommodate the needs of users with disabilities
- Build products for one type of user, so the benefits can extend to many other types of users
Correct: Equity-focused design builds on inclusive design by prioritizing the needs of historically underrepresented or marginalized groups during product development. The goal is to create products that are accessible, fair, and beneficial to all genders, races, and abilities, ensuring that no group is excluded or overlooked.
12. True or false? Alternative text, or alt text, provides a high-contrast view of text.
- True
- False (CORRECT)
Correct: Alternative text, or alt text, converts visual elements into a text-based format, describing meaningful images for users who cannot see them. It helps make content accessible to people with visual impairments. For more information on alt text and other assistive technologies, review this video.
13. Assistive technology includes any product, equipment, or systems that can enhance learning, working, and daily living for people with disabilities. Which of the following assistive technologies can help people with limited vision? Select all that apply.
- Motion tracking
- Switch
- Voice control (CORRECT)
- Screen readers (CORRECT)
Correct: Voice control is considered assistive technology to help those with limited vision by allowing users to navigate and interact with the buttons and screens on their devices using only their voice.
Correct: Screen readers are considered assistive technology that helps those with limited vision by rendering text on a page as speech or braille.
14. User-centered design is defined as a framework that “puts the user front-and-center.”
- True (CORRECT)
- False
Correct: User-centered design is a framework that puts the user front-and-center. By focusing on the user, designers must consider the story, emotions, and insights gathered about them.
15. How does color modification assist users with low vision or eye strain?
- By using bright colors on a screen
- By using high contrast of colors on a screen (CORRECT)
- By using neutral colors on a screen
- By using translucent colors on a screen
Correct: Color modification increases the color contrast on a screen to make it easier to see for users with low vision or eye strain.
16. Which scenario is an example of equitable thinking or design at work?
- Creating a mobile app for all versions of iOS.
- Providing closed captioning and an interpreter during an online presentation. (CORRECT)
- Supplying a laptop for all students in a computer lab.
- Providing the same lunch for each guest attending a press conference.
Correct: Providing closed captioning and an interpreter during an online presentation is an example of equitable thinking at work. Not all attendees have perfect hearing or sight, especially if there are guests who are Deaf, hard-of-hearing, or have vision impairments.
17. In which phase of Design Thinking would a designer create an early model of a product that demonstrates its functionality?
- the user’s connection speed
- the cost of the device
- the size of the device (CORRECT)
- whether the user is a customer
Correct: Responsive web design allows a website to change automatically depending on the size of the device.
18. Fill in the blank: Responsive web design allows a website to change automatically depending on _______.
- Security analyst (CORRECT)
- Incident coordinator (CORRECT)
- Technical lead (CORRECT)
- Incident manager
19. User experience should focus on the experience of existing users, and which other key group?
- Users who are about to become internet users (CORRECT)
- Users who are adapting to cloud-based technology
- Users who are in the field of technology
- Users who are transitioning from desktop to mobile
Correct: Globally, there are a billion people who are just starting to use the internet. Designers need to consider this group, along with current users, when creating user experiences.
20. Digital literacy is the familiarity of a user with the technology they need to use to access your product or service. How might you improve the user experience for users who are new to digital technology? Select all that apply.
- Keep the design simple (CORRECT)
- Focus on users with higher digital literacy
- Provide clear guidance in the product (CORRECT)
- Consider providing video tutorials (CORRECT)
Correct: People with lower digital literacy might not be familiar with certain design patterns, calls to action, or icons that those with more online experience take for granted. To provide them with a better user experience, keep the design simple, offer clear guidance within the product, and consider providing video tutorials to help them navigate all areas of the product.
21. A designer completes the first three steps of the user-centered design process. This results in a design they hope will solve the end user’s problem. What is the final step in the process?
- Evaluate (CORRECT)
- Prototype
- Iterate
- Ideate
Correct: The final step is to evaluate a design against the end user’s needs. In this step, the designer can find out if the design actually solves the user’s problem.
22. User-centered design begins with the step: understand. What is the second step of the process?
- Specify (CORRECT)
- Design
- Evaluate
- Iterate
Correct: User-centered design consists of four steps: understand, specify, design, and evaluate. During the second step, specify, you’ll focus on narrowing down the user’s needs based on your research to identify which user problem is most critical to address.
23. What are the benefits of following a UX design framework? Select all that apply.
- UX frameworks focus on earning the most money.
- UX frameworks promote iteration to design the right user experience. (CORRECT)
- UX frameworks focus on the user. (CORRECT)
- UX frameworks support creating solutions that address the user’s problem. (CORRECT)
Correct: Regardless of the frameworks you use in your career, they all share a few common principles: focusing on the user, creating solutions to address the user’s problems, collaborating with teammates across departments, validating your designs, and iterating as needed to ensure the right user experience.
24. True or false? High contrast mode makes the interface easier to see for people with low vision.
- True (CORRECT)
- False
25. User-centered design is when you consider a user’s story, emotions, and _____.
- the insights you have gathered about users (CORRECT)
- the data you have collected about similar users
- the feedback you have incorporated in design updates
- the interactive elements you have included in your prototype
Correct: User-centered design puts the user front and center. Focusing on the user means considering their story, emotions, and the insights you’ve gathered about them.
26. When designing cross-platform experiences, which platform should you focus on first when you build a new product?
- The platform that controls the largest market share
- The platform that best meets your user’s needs (CORRECT)
- All platforms planned to launch
- The designer’s favorite platform
Correct: It’s important to focus first on the platform that best meets your users’ needs. Later, you can design for additional platforms.
27. Which of the following are best practices when designing for mobile experiences? Select all that apply.
- Keep navigation buttons short and simple (CORRECT)
- Place call-to-action buttons front and center (CORRECT)
- Design a custom app, to direct all users to a single platform experience
- Create unique color schemes for each platform
Correct: Best practices for designing mobile experiences include placing call-to-action buttons front and center, keeping navigation menus short and simple, using intuitive and familiar gestures (like tapping and swiping), considering both portrait and landscape views, and reducing visual clutter.
28. What should you consider when creating an equity-focused product?
- Accommodating the needs of users who have been historically excluded from the design process. (CORRECT)
- Accommodating the needs of users who are in the primary market segment for a product.
- Accommodating the needs of all possible users, using a one-size-fits-all design approach.
Correct: Equity-focused design means making sure a product is accessible and fair to all genders, races, and abilities, which means that it’s important to consider the needs of users who have been historically underrepresented during the design process.
29. True or false? Screen readers are one of the most common assistive technologies for people with limited vision
- True (CORRECT)
- False
Correct: Screen readers are one of the most common assistive technologies for people with limited vision. The software works on mobile and web devices, reading aloud any on-screen text.
30. Fill in the blank: Digital literacy refers to the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both _____.
- cognitive and technical skills (CORRECT)
- money and time management skills
- equipment and education
- knowledge and wisdom
31. What is user-centered design?
- Design that focuses on the user’s story and emotions as well as the insights a designer gathers
- Design that predicts the needs of users and allows potential users to experiment with prototypes (CORRECT)
- Design that is data-focused and relies on trends and patterns to ensure a product will be desirable
- Design that allows users to assist in creating a prototype of a product with their own personal knowledge of design
32. User-centered design begins with the steps Understand and Specify. What is the third step of the process?
- Iterate
- Specify
- Design (CORRECT)
- Evaluate
33. Fill in the blank: When designing across platforms, the platform that best meets your user’s needs should be ____ .
- explored as an option
- designed for first (CORRECT)
- provided the most resources
- tested more extensively
34. What is responsive design?
- Design that frequently changes due to feedback from users
- Design that allows a website to change automatically depending on the size of the device (CORRECT)
- Design that can determine if a user is on a mobile device and automatically download an app
- Design that responds differently to users who have signed in with an account
35. Fill in the blank: Equity-focused design is both accessible and fair to _____ .
- all genders, races, and abilities (CORRECT)
- the general public
- all target users
- the next billion users
36. A user with limited vision is interacting with a mobile device. Software on the device narrates the on-screen text, interactive elements, and alternative text for images. What assistive technology does this scenario describe?
- Screen modification
- Screen assistant
- Screen sense
- Screen reader (CORRECT)
37. Assistive technology includes any product, equipment, or systems that can enhance learning, working, and daily living for people with disabilities. Which of the following assistive technologies can help people with limited dexterity? Select all that apply.
- Color modification
- Screen readers
- Voice control (CORRECT)
- Switch (CORRECT)
38. What is a brand identity?
- The marketing team’s output
- What users think of a company
- The visual appearance and voice of a company (CORRECT)
- How a company develops marketing and advertising
39. Previously, designers were primarily designing for a desktop platform. Now, they are designing for many different platforms and products need to adapt to whatever screen the user is on. What type of design helps designers accomplish this?
- Responsive (CORRECT)
- Mobile
- Minimalist
- High contrast
40. Which of the following are best practices when designing for mobile experiences? Select all that apply.
- Create a smaller version of the desktop experience
- Use familiar gestures like tapping and swiping (CORRECT)
- Design for both directions a phone might be held (CORRECT)
- Reduce visual clutter (CORRECT)
41. A user with limited vision is interacting with a mobile device. Software on the device allows the user to navigate and interact using their voice. What assistive technology does this scenario describe?
- Alt control
- Voice control (CORRECT)
- Speech assistant
- Screen readers
42. Do people who do not identify as having a disability have uses for assistive technologies created for accessibility?
- Yes, many accessibility technologies are useful to all users. (CORRECT)
- No, accessibility tools are specifically for those with disabilities.
- Maybe, depending on the device, they might be useful.
43. Fill in the blank: The term accessibility refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for _______. Select all that apply.
- People with special access to premium features
- People with motor disabilities (CORRECT)
- People with vision disabilities (CORRECT)
- People who are deaf or hard of hearing (CORRECT)
44. As a UX designer, one of the key challenges of getting to know your users is avoiding taking a narrow view of the user, or making assumptions that they have the same needs and wants as you do. To reach as many users as possible, which of the following questions should you understand about your user? Select all that apply.
- Would I like using this product or service as much as the user?
- Have I considered all my potential users? (CORRECT)
- When are my users accessing the product or service?
- How are my users accessing the product or service?
45. Fill in the blank: User-centered design is when you consider a user’s story, emotions, and _____.
- the feedback you have incorporated in design updates
- the insights you have gathered about users (CORRECT)
- the interactive elements you have included in your prototype
- the data you have collected about similar users
46. While equality means providing the same amount of opportunity and support to all, equity means providing _______ levels of opportunity and support for each person to achieve fair outcomes.
- different (CORRECT)
- similar
- identical
47. Screen readers are one of the most common assistive technologies for people with limited vision.
- True (CORRECT)
- False
48. Which of the following are examples of assistive technology? Select all that apply.
- Pencil
- Screen reader (CORRECT)
- Color modification (CORRECT)
- Alternative text (CORRECT)
49. Which of the following is the correct order of the steps in the user-centered design process?
- Design, Specify, Understand, Evaluate
- Evaluate, Design, Specify, Understand
- Understand, Specify, Design, Evaluate (CORRECT)
- Specify, Understand, Design, Evaluate
50. What is the final step in user-centered design?
- Iterate
- Understand
- Design
- Evaluate (CORRECT)
51. Fill in the blank: When you start to build a new product, you should first design for a single platform that _____.
- meets shareholder needs
- best meets your end user’s needs (CORRECT)
- creates a one-stop shop or the look of brands, products, and services
- most closely adapts to design best practices
52. A user with limited vision is interacting with a mobile device. Software on the device is making the text easier to read by changing the color of the text. What assistive technology does this scenario describe?
- Pencil
- Alternative text (CORRECT)
- Screen reader (CORRECT)
- Color modification (CORRECT)
53. Which of the following are examples of assistive technology? Select all that apply.
- A system that only includes regulatory standards and guidelines
- The process used to document events
- The method of closing an investigation
- A framework that provides a blueprint for effective incident response (CORRECT)
54. Fill in the blank: User-centered design is when you consider a user’s story, emotions, and _____.
- Iterate
- Understand
- Design
- Evaluate (CORRECT)
55. What is the final step in user-centered design?
- A specialized group of security professionals who are trained in incident management and response
- A specialized group of security professionals who are solely dedicated to crisis management (CORRECT)
- A specialized group of security professionals who focus on incident prevention
- A specialized group of security professionals who work in isolation from other departments
56. Fill in the blank: User-centered design is when you consider a user’s story, emotions, and _____.
- Iterate
- Understand
- Design
- Evaluate (CORRECT)
57. What is the final step in user-centered design?
- Monitoring activity
- Documenting incidents
- Managing alerts
- Analyzing events (CORRECT)
Thinking like a UX designer CONCLUSION
Correct: UX designers always prioritize the user, and this section of the course provided an introduction to user-centered design. You were also introduced to one of the many design frameworks that UX designers use regularly. In addition, you learned about general design best practices, including the importance of inclusive design and accessibility when designing for users.
Lastly, you explored how thinking across platforms can provide users with a seamless experience, no matter which device they’re using. So what are you waiting for? Join Coursera now and elevate your UX designer career to the next level!