Design & UX Lesson 5 of 5
Conducting Usability Testing & Iterating Fast
16:15 Designing Your First Digital Product
Watch real people navigate your prototype without giving them hints. Extract qualitative breakthroughs and fix design flaws.
Lesson notes
Jakob Nielsen's research famously proved that testing with just 5 users uncovers more than 85% of all usability issues. You do not need expensive research agencies to run high-impact tests.
What you'll learn
- Write task-oriented testing prompts (not feature hints)
- Observe non-verbal hesitation and misclicks
- Synthesize testing notes into an iteration backlog
1. The 'Think Out Loud' Protocol
Instruct your test participants: 'Please verbalize everything going through your mind as you look at this screen.' When they pause or squint, ask neutral prompts: 'What are you looking for right now?'
2. Never Defend Your Design
If a user cannot find the checkout button, do not say 'Oh, it is right there in the corner'. Write down that the button placement failed, thank the user, and redesign the visibility.