What this book covers

Chapter 1, The User Experience Mindset, looks at some persistent myths about design and customer/user engagement that can make a profession like UX non-existent. Dispelling these myths is the first step, and an important one, for acquiring a UX mindset—the first step of good design.

Chapter 2, Creative UX, looks at how to create six optimal conditions for your best ideas to appear. This will require two modes of thinking, open and closed. Once you acquire the skill to control both of these mindsets creativity and good design will soon follow.

Chapter 3, Good UX Design, identifies ten design principles found in all good UX design, how to identify it and how to recognize it is more than just web design. Good design has no boundaries and this chapter will explain why.

Chapter 4, Foundations of Good IA, will provide you with a broader understanding of Information Architecture (IA) that will give you a wider view of IA and demonstrate that IA is not found in technology.

Chapter 5, Patterns, Properties, and Principles of a Good UX Design, looks at some fundamental properties of patterns that are found is all of the best designs, from UX to music to painting to architecture. Borrowing from a renowned building architect, you will be introduced to fifteen properties that will change the way you look and think about patterns and how to use them in your design work.

Chapter 6, An Essential Strategy for UX Maturity, discusses the challenges that UX faces if its maturity level does not increase. Doing this effectively and rapidly begins with a strategy that transforms how others, like stakeholders and various other colleagues, understand the true value of UX work.

Chapter 7, UX Tools, hows you the most important tools of the UX trade that never go out of style.

Chapter 8, Final Thoughts and Additional Resources, provides resources for continued learning long after you have finished reading this book.