The following are the steps I take in my current design process:

• Step 1: I always start with research. I try to gather as much information as possible to understand who the main demographic is that would be using the interface that I am trying to design/develop for. I try to understand what the problem is that the client is looking to solve. I also use my research to compare and contrast what has already been found to be successful vs what hasn't been successful.


• Step 2: I create an organized document that summarizes my understanding of the requirements and features that the client is looking for. This is something I can look back on later as a checklist. This ensures that I have covered all the most important aspects that the client wanted.


• Step 3: I gather different design patterns, color styles, animation types, as well as different kinds of UI components from other websites and applications online. I then share my findings with my client and allow them to sort through those findings and discuss any additional feedback or thoughts they may have. This allows me to share my thoughts of how I envision the design to look, while also giving the client the ability to voice their opinion before anything further goes into the design process.


• Step 4: I create a wireframe either digitally or through a hand drawn sketch. The wireframe provides a very rough layout/structure for the placement of items throughout the page. Often times I will create two different versions so they can be compared and contrasted. Sometimes this can inspire ideas that the client likes but didn't originally have in mind.


• Step 5: Onto the prototype. Once the wireframe is approved, I move onto more distinct details for a visual and interactive mock-up. For this step I've been known to use platforms including Marvel, Sketch, and InVision.


• Step 6: The clients feedback on my prototype/mockup will allow me to know what direction to move towards next. Any re-designing that needs to be improved can be done. Sometimes during this stage, the client will come up with additional items that were not previously discussed. As long as what the client wants is practical, I go back and make those changes.


• Step 7: I track user experience and user feedback using a website such as Hotjar. Hotjar in particular is a great tool for tracking how users actually interact with the website itself. If the results show that changes are needed, then steps 1, 5 and 6 are revisited.