The best UX researchers and designers I know have a passion for psychology - understanding how the human mind works, so that their design solutions can best be tailored to its capabilities and desires. And they take it to the next level - seeking to understand, as specifically as possible, the mindsets and motivations of their site or app’s target users. You can see it in their inquisitive eyes and attitudes, by the psychology-related study findings they cite, and by their eagerness to do usability testing. They truly care about humans (at least on an intellectual level) and know that through this caring they can create more successful solutions - both for the user and for the business. The “before/after” ROI results of their designs usually bear this out.
So if you want to integrate more “human-ness” into your designs you don’t need to read an academic journal article a week and have an advanced degree in cognitive psychology (although that doesn’t hurt). You simply need to be curious about humans think and feel, attend some local UX meetings, find a senior-level UX mentor, and read up on psychology as it relates to design, at the same time as you are honing your design skills. It’s all about adopting a mindset of continuous learning.
In terms of reading, I especially recommend books on architecture (information, persuasion, content), emotional design, and neuromarketing. The latest wave of design books from publishers like ABookApart provide a great starting point if you’re short on time and attention span (disclaimers: I am in no way affiliated with ABookApart. I formerly worked as a consultant at HFI). If your work and interests are more on the “art” side there is much to be learned there at well. Read some books on visual design theory; Art & Visual Perception (Arnheim) and Designing Visual Interfaces (Mullet, Sano) are stand-out books in this realm for me.
If you’re saying, “I’m not a big reader,” that’s OK. I lieu of reading books you can learn from talented graphic design greats by watching their videos on the Web (YouTube or elsewhere), or even by watching any of the wide variety of interior design or home improvement shows currently on TV. Within a concise 60-minute time slot these shows demonstrate how a home can be transformed from a confusing, undesigned mess into a beautiful space where all of elements work together functionally and aesthetically.
So don’t wait - if you are committed to becoming the best you can be in the UX field, get “psyched up” to become a student of how humans perceive, think and decide. You'll become a more successful designer as a result.
How to Reach Mark
email: mark.hall99@gmail.comskype: markhall_skype
twitter: @HallmarkUX
linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/hallmarkexperience
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