Process

Methodology
Written By Jordan Stevens

Design is a non-linear journey that emphasizes visibility, ownership, and alignment. This process framework reduces variance, improves quality, and ensures seamless collaboration across phases.

The 5 Design Phases

🔮 Define

Goal: Define the problem, goals, and scope of the project.

Key Activities:

  • Kickoff with stakeholders to align on objectives

  • Conduct stakeholder interviews to gather requirements

  • Initialize the project brief and design story

  • Present initial brief to engineering team

Deliverables: Project Brief, Design Story

🔍 Research

Goal: Gather insights and inspiration to inform the design process.

Key Activities:

  • Define research methods and objectives

  • Conduct necessary research (user interviews, analytics, competitive analysis)

  • Synthesize and document findings

  • Present research to create shared understanding

Deliverables: Exploratory prototypes, user personas, journey maps, competitive analysis, usability testing, research synthesis

🚧 Iterate

Goal: Generate and refine design concepts through iterative process.

Key Activities:

  • Brainstorm and sketch initial ideas

  • Create wireframes, visual comps, and prototypes

  • Conduct design reviews with stakeholders

  • Iterate based on feedback

Deliverables: Wireframes, user flows, visual comps, high-fidelity prototypes

✅ Validate

Goal: Validate designs through user testing and feedback.

Key Activities:

  • Conduct usability testing with prototypes

  • Refine designs based on user feedback

  • Present final designs to leadership

  • Ensure designs meet user needs

Deliverables: Final designs, usability testing results

🚀 Finalize

Goal: Prepare final designs for development.

Key Activities:

  • Conduct technical design review

  • Prepare design layouts and components for handoff

  • Collaborate closely with developers during implementation

  • Ensure design acceptance through review process

Deliverables: Design handoff, design system updates, product marketing collateral

Product Development Integration

"All work is a series of processes, and each process has its supplier as well as its customer."

— Masaaki Imai

Design should begin 3-4 months before development to allow adequate time for research, iteration, and stakeholder alignment. The process integrates with broader product development:

  1. Pre-Development: Roadmap → Planning/Scoping → Design → Leadership Presentation

  2. Development: Sprint Planning → Technical Review → Handoff → Implementation

  3. Post-Development: Testing → Deployment → Launch → Analytics

Keys to Success

  • Don't Skip Steps: Development should never start without finalized designs and stakeholder alignment. Each phase builds critical understanding for the next.

  • Non-Linear Process: While phases provide structure, design involves iterative cycles of planning, execution, and feedback. Be prepared to revisit earlier phases based on new insights.

  • Collaboration First: Success depends on visibility, ownership, and alignment across Product, Design, and Engineering. Regular ceremonies and clear deliverables ensure seamless handoffs.

  • User-Centered: Every phase should connect back to user needs and business objectives. Use data and user feedback to guide decisions and validate solutions.

Jordan Stevens
Hello, I design user experiences. I graduated from SCAD with a BFA in Advertising Design. I cut my teeth working for a print shop. I've been using Illustrator since there was a Venus on the loading screen. I freelance. I play bass occasionally, and poorly. (but it's fun!) I enjoy woodworking and making. I love gadgets and tech. I live in Austin, Tx. I collaborate with a team of developers. Working out the flow of an app, loading that early build, and getting the blend of form and function just right, it's what I crave.
jordanstevens.info
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