How often have you felt that the numbers on the spreadsheet don't quite capture the REAL user experience?
It's like trying to measure the beauty of a sunset using a ruler đ¤Ł
Just doesn't work, does it?
Jeff Bezos, in a chat with Lex Fridman, dropped a truth bomb about anecdotes and data. (check the 1:29:00 mark)
He noticed at Amazon, despite good average waiting times, people still complained.
It turns out, sometimes the stories behind the complaints are more telling than the numbers.
Embracing user stories and anecdotes
Letâs image the usual:
A team sitting around a table (or, on zoom), pondering over user feedback.
The data looks great, but then someone shares a user story that changes everything.
That one story leads to a tweak in the design that the data never hinted at.
That's the power of narrative.
Remember Bezosâ insight?
ââŚwhen the data and the anecdotes disagree, the anecdotes are usually right.â
It's a wake-up call.
Our UX strategies need a dose of real-life stories, even when they defy the beloved metrics.
The role of emotional resonance in UX
How frequently do you think about how a user feels interacting with your design? And I donât mean their âclicksâ and âscrollsâ. I mean the smiles, the frustration, the âahaâ moments?
Letâs imagine a UX designer and a user in a deep conversation.
The user shares how a particular design made them feel. This raw, emotional feedback is gold, something a survey can never fully capture.
Innovative approaches to demonstrate UX impact
How about ditching the usual metrics for something more... human?
Imagine a âJoy Indexâ to gauge how delightful your app is. Think of using emojis for feedback. Sounds fun, right?
Actual case studies could be another goldmine. They can tell the story of the design journey and its impact on real people. These stories can often say much more than percentages and pie charts.
From problem-solving to enhancing user delight
Here's a thought:
Instead of just fixing what's broken, why not also focus on making users happy?
Imagine a brainstorming session where the goal is to create features users don't even know they want yet.
A call to action for UXers
As UXers, our mission is to bridge the gap between human and digital.
To do this, we must embrace both data and stories.
We must look beyond the spreadsheet and listen to the users. Really listen.
Let's commit to using technology not just to analyze but to understand.
Let's make our designs not just usable, but lovable.
In the end, it's about creating experiences that people cherish, that make them feel heard and appreciated.
That's the real measure of success in UX design.
Not just in how many users we attract, but how many lives we touch.
So, the next time you review your UX strategies, remember to look beyond the numbers.
Seek out the stories, the emotions, the human experiences.
Because in the end, that's what truly matters.
âMarina
P.S. Thanks for being here! See you next Saturday đ
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