GeekMBA360

"I’m the usability guru. I have been doing this for the last 8 years. I’ve been reading a lot of books in usability and taking classes. I know what users want. You business people shouldn’t question my judgment". The UI designer in my company was quite upset as several business folks were criticizing his design.

Unfortunately, he has never talked to a single customer or an account manager (who works closely with the customers) before he came up with the design. He said that he had surveyed follow developers, and they all liked his design.

UI design is an interactive process. The best UI designers I know listen really well — they take feedback well. They treat users’ feedback as an integral part of his design process. He doesn’t take it as criticism and get offended.

Similarly, I’ve known people who does market research in their head. "I think I know my customers. They will like this." But, they have never validated their assumptions. You need to separate your own assumptions from reality. You need to talk to your customers and field sales force to validate your assumptions.

Do you know someone who is doing UI design or market research in their own head? Wake them up!