Context & Purpose
Inspired by the book Universal Methods of Design, the article breaks down how structured methods streamline UX workflows and drive real results.
Core Methods Highlights
A/B Testing: Compare design variations—e.g., eBay discovered larger images outperformed smaller versions .
Affinity Diagramming: Cluster qualitative data to uncover hidden themes after user research.
Card Sorting: Understand how users group content to strengthen IA and navigation.
Bodystorming: Prototype with physical enactment to surface unexpected design insights.
Contextual Inquiry: Observe users in their environment to reveal authentic behavior and pain points.
Author’s Reflection
Summaries how these universal methods enhance clarity, empathy, and evidence-driven design. Suggests applying at least one method per project to replace guesswork with impact.
Takeaways / Why It Matters
This blog demonstrates your understanding of how to communicate research-informed UX practices.
It positions you as someone grounded in proven methods and capable of teaching and applying them effectively.
Visual & Structural Polish
Enhance your portfolio section with:
Screenshots or pull-quotes: Capture striking passages like the eBay A/B case.
Icons or visuals: Represent each method (e.g., sticky notes for affinity diagrams).
Process annotations: Briefly explain how you’ve applied or plan to apply at least one of these methods in your own UX work.
Why This Works
Contextual credibility: Citing the original date and inspired-by reference shows you’ve done research and positioned the article thoughtfully.
Educational value: It highlights your ability to distill UX methods and share practical takeaways.
Personal connection: By mentioning how you’ve implemented (or plan to implement) one of the methods, it demonstrates active engagement—not just passive reporting.