welterweightUX

Lately, I’ve heard some seasoned UXers bemoan the dearth of user testing and data collection going on in a lot of modern UX practices.

The internet has been around for quite a while now. People (erm, users) have had enough varied experiences that a lot of the tried and true “best practices” are no longer relevant. Or at the very least shouldn’t restrict what we do. Strategic experimentation has helped make things fun. It’s pushed thing forward. And it’s helped make our jobs interesting while at the same time enchanting our audiences.

But there’s a real danger in unchecked innovation.

UX people are obviously trying to craft unique, well-reasoned experiences. We’re good at thinking things through, considering the whys and hows. But, as @mkedobbs said after last night’s mkeUX meetup, all the innovation and creativity in the world is for naught if you don’t have tangible proof that it’s useable.

So here’s the thing: Let’s not get hung up on user testing, etc, but let’s not forgo it. We need to put what we’re creating in front of users before they’re forced to use it in the batty metropolis of daily life.

Part of your UX advocacy with clients or within your organization needs to be
focused on fighting to let users speak in their own voice.

Testing does not have to be expensive or time consuming. A small sit-down yields massive results.

So, you know, to awkwardly rake up an old advertising slogan: Just do it.

Seriously though—have at ‘er.