Revealing User Experience design process

The buzz world of “user experience” or “UX” has sometimes been ambiguous and nonspecific. Over time, user experience has been defined as large as universal attempt to improve life and working environments, and as narrow as experience of better understanding and using a software or a device. On many occasions I was asked about my definition of user experience, and to explain how user experience design benefits to development of software or websites. To help my clients to better understand this process, I created this diagram visually illustrating UX design process. I omitted details about tools and procedures, as these might vary from project to project.

In case of upgrading existing products UX designer communicates with existing product users, which makes the process of learning less subjective and more specific. Communicating with actual users, collecting their feedback and inquiries allows to focus on more specific improvements, gain ideas for new features and usage. Below diagram reflects the difference in UX design process for existing products.