Search icon CANCEL
Subscription
0
Cart icon
Your Cart (0 item)
Close icon
You have no products in your basket yet
Save more on your purchases now! discount-offer-chevron-icon
Savings automatically calculated. No voucher code required.
Arrow left icon
Explore Products
Best Sellers
New Releases
Books
Videos
Audiobooks
Learning Hub
Conferences
Free Learning
Arrow right icon
Practical UX Design
Practical UX Design

Practical UX Design: A foundational yet practical approach to UX that delivers more creative, collaborative, holistic, and mature design solutions, regardless of your background or experience

Arrow left icon
Profile Icon Faranello
Arrow right icon
NZ$35.99 NZ$51.99
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon 4.6 (5 Ratings)
eBook Apr 2016 232 pages 1st Edition
eBook
NZ$35.99 NZ$51.99
Paperback
NZ$64.99
Subscription
Free Trial
Arrow left icon
Profile Icon Faranello
Arrow right icon
NZ$35.99 NZ$51.99
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon 4.6 (5 Ratings)
eBook Apr 2016 232 pages 1st Edition
eBook
NZ$35.99 NZ$51.99
Paperback
NZ$64.99
Subscription
Free Trial
eBook
NZ$35.99 NZ$51.99
Paperback
NZ$64.99
Subscription
Free Trial

What do you get with eBook?

Product feature icon Instant access to your Digital eBook purchase
Product feature icon Download this book in EPUB and PDF formats
Product feature icon Access this title in our online reader with advanced features
Product feature icon DRM FREE - Read whenever, wherever and however you want
OR
Modal Close icon
Payment Processing...
tick Completed

Billing Address

Table of content icon View table of contents Preview book icon Preview Book

Practical UX Design

Chapter 2. Creative UX

Let's go a little deeper now and talk about another important area of focus for the practical UX practitioner: creativity. Developing a UX mindset is essential to better design work because it allows you to see things differently, which in turn will allow you to design differently, leading to more creative solutions on a consistent basis. Of course, we all want to be our most creative selves most of the time, but in the working world we also have to deal with deadlines, meetings, office politics, and other distractions that can make creativity a major challenge and negatively affect your solutions and subsequent designs. The key, therefore, is to find a balance between creativity and decisiveness, two mindsets or modes that can often be at odds. By following some steps, inspired by someone who knows, you will be able to switch between these two modes more easily and more effectively.

In this chapter, we will look at:

  • The essential mindset for creativity...

Essential mindset for Creativity

 

"Telling people how to be creative is easy; it's only being it that's difficult."

 
 --John Cleese

In 1991, comedian and actor John Cleese presented a talk on creativity, providing insight into the creative process along with a recipe for achieving it. Citing research and his own experience as an entertainer, Cleese humorously presented creativity in a very compelling and entertaining way, interspersing his talk with numerous jokes and anecdotes that kept the audience both engaged and thoroughly amused.

During his talk, Cleese emphasized that creativity is not a skill, but rather a "way of operating", and a way of allowing ourselves to be aware and awake to opportunities in any setting and at any moment. Like the UX mindset, creativity is also a way of operating, allowing ideas and solutions to come forth that we might have otherwise missed or misunderstood. This can easily happen in a work setting where we are...

The six conditions for creativity

What follows are six conditions necessary to obtain optimal creativity and getting to the open mode when you need it the most. As you will see, although they were not intended for a UX designer, they transfer nicely. Also note that while Cleese introduced five conditions during his talk, a sixth one has been added (agreement), because in a work oriented project setting, if you do not have an agreement about what the business and customer/user goals and objectives are then the other conditions are irrelevant. I will explain more about this in a moment.

The six conditions for optimal creativity and getting to open mode are as follows:

  • Space: Finding the physical space to be creative
  • Time: Putting aside time for creativity to occur
  • Time: Allowing yourself enough time to be creative
  • Confidence: Knowing when to switch between open and closed modes
  • Humor: Allowing for and embracing failure
  • Agreement: Gaining an agreement that your approach is sound

Space

If we search...

Applying creativity to UX design

Now that we've looked at creativity and the conditions necessary to manifest it, let's see how they hold up in real-world work environments where speed, efficiency, and decision making are the highest priority, sometimes higher than the concern for customer/user satisfaction. In other words, how do we create the open mode in an environment designed for closed mode thinking most of the time?

To visualize this, here are two images that come to mind with regards to closed and open modes. Can you guess which is which?

Applying creativity to UX design

In the preceding image, development teams are focused on efficiency, production, and deadlines more so than on customer/user needs.

Here is another image:

Applying creativity to UX design

Here we see creativity personified, where the conditions for being in the open mode seem to come to life all at once. In this image there appears to be a playful, cohesive team in a dedicated space where play and improvisation abounds. There also appears to be total freedom to try, test...

Summary

 

"Anything looked at closely becomes wonderful."

 
 --A. R. Ammons

In this chapter, we looked at the essential mindset for creativity, the six conditions needed for creativity and applying creativity to UX design. Facilitating creativity in a work-/team-oriented environment more often steeped in efficiency, production, and deadlines than on customer/user needs can be a real problem. Inspired by a talk on creativity by actor/comedian John Cleese, we looked at two modes of thinking, open and closed and how to switch between them in order to be both creative and productive. We looked to at how getting stuck in either of these modes risks missed opportunities and less than superior results. Creativity and decision making is a balancing act that is important to understand and be aware of in our professional lives. Making time and space for creativity is key and can be easily accomplished by following the conditions introduced by Mr. Cleese, which transfer nicely...

Left arrow icon Right arrow icon

Key benefits

  • Improve your UX design awareness and skills
  • Gain greater confidence to know when you have delivered a “good” UX design
  • Learn by example using a book designed by a UX mind for a UX mind

Description

Written in an easy-to-read style, this book provides real-world examples, a historical perspective, and a holistic approach to design that will ground you in the fundamental essentials of interactive design, allow you to make more informed design decisions, and increase your understanding of UX in order to reach the highest levels of UX maturity. As you will see, UX is more than just delighting customers and users. It is also about thinking like a UX practitioner, making time for creativity, recognizing good design when you see it, understanding Information Architecture as more than just organizing and labeling websites, using design patterns to influence user behavior and decision making, approaching UX from a business perspective, transforming your client’s and company’s fundamental understanding of UX and its true value, and so much more. This book is an invaluable resource of knowledge, perspective, and inspiration for those seeking to become better UX designers, increase their confidence, become more mature design leaders, and deliver solutions that provide measurable value to stakeholders, customers, and users regardless of project type, size, and delivery method.

Who is this book for?

This book is written for the beginner as well as the experienced UX practitioner, regardless of team size, company size, or job title. It is also intended for anyone with an interest in UX, engages with UX, is involved in any way in interactive problem solving and design, or simply wants to learn more about what we do, how we do it, and why those in the UX field are so passionate about wanting to do it better.

What you will learn

  • Awaken your UX mind and dispel the myths of non-UX thinkers
  • Create the six optimal conditions for your best ideas to appear
  • Identify and incorporate the ten design principles found in all good UX design
  • Develop a broader understanding of Information Architecture (IA) to better engage, guide, and inform
  • Develop a fundamental understanding of patterns and the properties that create them
  • Raise your level of UX maturity with a strategy that transforms your approach to problem solving and helps others understand the true value of your work
  • Utilize important tools of the UX trade that never go out of style
  • Increase your knowledge of UX, incorporate valuable ideas and insights into your work, and look at design from a very unique perspective

Product Details

Country selected
Publication date, Length, Edition, Language, ISBN-13
Publication date : Apr 28, 2016
Length: 232 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781785886157

What do you get with eBook?

Product feature icon Instant access to your Digital eBook purchase
Product feature icon Download this book in EPUB and PDF formats
Product feature icon Access this title in our online reader with advanced features
Product feature icon DRM FREE - Read whenever, wherever and however you want
OR
Modal Close icon
Payment Processing...
tick Completed

Billing Address

Product Details

Publication date : Apr 28, 2016
Length: 232 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781785886157

Packt Subscriptions

See our plans and pricing
Modal Close icon
$19.99 billed monthly
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Simple pricing, no contract
$199.99 billed annually
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Choose a DRM-free eBook or Video every month to keep
Feature tick icon PLUS own as many other DRM-free eBooks or Videos as you like for just NZ$7 each
Feature tick icon Exclusive print discounts
$279.99 billed in 18 months
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Choose a DRM-free eBook or Video every month to keep
Feature tick icon PLUS own as many other DRM-free eBooks or Videos as you like for just NZ$7 each
Feature tick icon Exclusive print discounts

Frequently bought together


Stars icon
Total NZ$ 201.97
Practical UX Design
NZ$64.99
Professional CSS3
NZ$71.99
UX Design for Mobile
NZ$64.99
Total NZ$ 201.97 Stars icon

Table of Contents

9 Chapters
1. The User Experience Mindset Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
2. Creative UX Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
3. Good UX Design Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
4. Foundations of Good IA Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
5. Patterns, Properties, and Principles of Good UX Design Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
6. An Essential Strategy for UX Maturity Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
7. UX Tools Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
8. Final Thoughts and Additional Resources Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Index Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

Rating distribution
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon 4.6
(5 Ratings)
5 star 80%
4 star 0%
3 star 20%
2 star 0%
1 star 0%
ocean petunia Feb 09, 2019
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
User Experience (UX) is becoming more mainstream every year, with many people looking to enter the field. This book is excellent for providing guidance in navigating the subject. It is suitable for not only the novice UX'er but also the seasoned professional. Mr. Faranello is himself dedicated to the UX profession and has been an active participant for over a decade.This book is unlike other books on UX in that it is not a how-to on using UX tools. Mr. Faranello touches on tools in one chapter, but the focus is on thinking like a UX professional and using your creativity skills. There is a fascinating chapter devoted to the six conditions for creativity, and the principles of good design. My favorite section of the book is when Mr. Faranello applies Christopher Alexander's(renowned theorist) fifteen fundamental properties of wholeness from a UX perspective. Each property is detailed and includes many examples. For those times when you want to refer to a topic, the table of contents is well-organized, and concise.UX is much more than creating wireframes and mock-ups. You must learn to think like a UX professional. If a career in UX is your goal, you must read this book.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
NikkiCo May 01, 2021
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
From a UXer new to this field, what a great read. The author really knows his stuff and has so much information to share. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in this topic.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
PETROS Feb 08, 2018
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Thanks
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Leon Barnard Jul 14, 2016
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
As an experienced UX designer, I really appreciate the choices about breadth vs. depth in this book. The first chapter, for example, is an opinionated, even philosophical, treatise on UX myths and realities. And when it dives into specifics, it's instructive, but not didactic. I think that's what makes it stand out from other UX books out there that go way too deep into specific techniques and case studies.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Woody Cox Mar 28, 2019
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon 3
Poor editing detracts from an otherwise nice work. It is obvious that the author has a lot of knowledge and experience to share, and it is also obvious that the publisher needs to re-examine their editorial staff.... or maybe outsourcing editing to a non-English speaking country was just someone asking for faster horses?
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Get free access to Packt library with over 7500+ books and video courses for 7 days!
Start Free Trial

FAQs

How do I buy and download an eBook? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Where there is an eBook version of a title available, you can buy it from the book details for that title. Add either the standalone eBook or the eBook and print book bundle to your shopping cart. Your eBook will show in your cart as a product on its own. After completing checkout and payment in the normal way, you will receive your receipt on the screen containing a link to a personalised PDF download file. This link will remain active for 30 days. You can download backup copies of the file by logging in to your account at any time.

If you already have Adobe reader installed, then clicking on the link will download and open the PDF file directly. If you don't, then save the PDF file on your machine and download the Reader to view it.

Please Note: Packt eBooks are non-returnable and non-refundable.

Packt eBook and Licensing When you buy an eBook from Packt Publishing, completing your purchase means you accept the terms of our licence agreement. Please read the full text of the agreement. In it we have tried to balance the need for the ebook to be usable for you the reader with our needs to protect the rights of us as Publishers and of our authors. In summary, the agreement says:

  • You may make copies of your eBook for your own use onto any machine
  • You may not pass copies of the eBook on to anyone else
How can I make a purchase on your website? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

If you want to purchase a video course, eBook or Bundle (Print+eBook) please follow below steps:

  1. Register on our website using your email address and the password.
  2. Search for the title by name or ISBN using the search option.
  3. Select the title you want to purchase.
  4. Choose the format you wish to purchase the title in; if you order the Print Book, you get a free eBook copy of the same title. 
  5. Proceed with the checkout process (payment to be made using Credit Card, Debit Cart, or PayPal)
Where can I access support around an eBook? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
  • If you experience a problem with using or installing Adobe Reader, the contact Adobe directly.
  • To view the errata for the book, see www.packtpub.com/support and view the pages for the title you have.
  • To view your account details or to download a new copy of the book go to www.packtpub.com/account
  • To contact us directly if a problem is not resolved, use www.packtpub.com/contact-us
What eBook formats do Packt support? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Our eBooks are currently available in a variety of formats such as PDF and ePubs. In the future, this may well change with trends and development in technology, but please note that our PDFs are not Adobe eBook Reader format, which has greater restrictions on security.

You will need to use Adobe Reader v9 or later in order to read Packt's PDF eBooks.

What are the benefits of eBooks? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
  • You can get the information you need immediately
  • You can easily take them with you on a laptop
  • You can download them an unlimited number of times
  • You can print them out
  • They are copy-paste enabled
  • They are searchable
  • There is no password protection
  • They are lower price than print
  • They save resources and space
What is an eBook? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Packt eBooks are a complete electronic version of the print edition, available in PDF and ePub formats. Every piece of content down to the page numbering is the same. Because we save the costs of printing and shipping the book to you, we are able to offer eBooks at a lower cost than print editions.

When you have purchased an eBook, simply login to your account and click on the link in Your Download Area. We recommend you saving the file to your hard drive before opening it.

For optimal viewing of our eBooks, we recommend you download and install the free Adobe Reader version 9.