Analytical Design

Patterns are generally made up of high level recommendations that are identified, documented for later use and reviewed periodically.

Writing a Pattern:

• Problem - what does the user want?
• Solution - how to meet the user’s needs.
• Context - when to use the pattern
• Examples - pictures, links, example code, etc.
• Name it - as a pattern library grows naming a pattern becomes more important for findability.
• Rating - see below.

A pattern is not a visual specification, only a high level description. A pattern should have links to visual specs like schematics or style guide entries.

Rating System for Patterns

( recommendation )

• Level 1 - Working Solution: Recommended starting point for the new design. The designer/project team may adapt the pattern as needed to fit the requirements of the project.
• Level 2 - Best Practice: Strongly recommend - should require some type of management permission to deviate from the documented pattern.
• Level 3 - The “Company” way: Mandatory - should require a high level permission to deviate from the documented pattern.

Personas are good for:

1. Helping the project team get into the target audience’s mindset - creating empathy.
2. Communicate why and how decisions where made with people outside the project team.

Drawbacks:

1. A persona is an amalgamation of traits from a larger group that get funneled into one entity. And by giving the persona a name and a picture it is hard not to think of the persona as an individual instead of a group.
2. Personas do not create passion for the project. Having passion for what you’re doing and putting all of your energy into it is more important than having certain artifacts for a project.

Interesting Thoughts:

“The proper way to design is not to target an individual type of customer. You want 100 million customers.” - Don Norman

In other words, don’t target a demographic type, rather an activity.

You don’t necessarily need personas to create a great design. It really depends on who you are working with/for and whether or not you have passion for the project.

Reference:

1. Fear and Loathing in Las Personas - adaptivepath.com
2. Personas and the Advantage of Designing for Yourself - bokardo.com
3. That Computer Is So You - BusinessWeek.com

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