Process
Every project is different, so I adapt my process to fit. These six phases are the framework, but in practice, I adjust based on the constraints, the team, and what the project actually needs.
Explore
Discover
Methods, Processes & Deliverables
Brainstorming | Stakeholders Interviews | Requirements Gathering | Competitive Audit | User Research | Content Audit
Discovery is where I build understanding before jumping into design. I work with stakeholders and / or team members to clarify business objectives. What problem are we solving? Why does it matter? and What does success look like? Then I shift to user research through interviews, requirements gathering, and brainstorming sessions to understand real workflows, pain points, and motivations.
The key is making sense of it all. I organize the information into user journeys and pain point maps. Connecting business goals with user insights reveals where design can make the biggest impact. Solving real problems for users while advancing the organization's objectives.
Interpret
Methods, Processes & Deliverables
User Personas / Scenarios | Use Cases | Mental Models | Journey Maps | Competitive Analysis | User Flow
Interpret is where research becomes actionable design direction. I analyze everything we have gathered from user needs, business goals, and technical constraints to conceptualize solutions. Using journey maps, use cases, and competitive analysis, I identify opportunities and understand the problem landscape.
With a clear picture of user needs and business requirements, I establish the information architecture. Organizing content and functionality to match how users think and work. This helps reveal the navigation system, content hierarchy, user flows, and UI components needed. By the end of this phase, I have a clear picture of what needs to be built and why each piece matters. The product is ready to come alive.
Solve
Methods, Processes & Deliverables
Wire-frames | Prototypes | Card Sorting | UI Components | Design Elements | Look and Feel Shaping
The solve phase is where concepts become real. I know who I'm designing for, what problem we're solving, and what the solution needs to accomplish. Now it's time to figure out how it actually works.
I like user flows, whether in flowchart form or wireframe sequences. They help me think through the complete experience: what UI components we need, how many screens and in what order, where users might get stuck or confused. Seeing the flow reveals problems before we invest in high-fidelity design.
I typically start with pencil and paper or interface design tools like Figma / UXPin for designing multiple approaches to key screens and interactions. These rough concepts help me explore ideas quickly without getting attached to any single direction. From there, I move into low-fidelity digital wire-frames, focusing on layout, navigation, and information hierarchy.
Once the UI starts to take shape, I create high-fidelity wire-frames where interactions, content, and design start to evolve. This is where I refine the details, work through edge cases, and ensure everything connects logically. By this point, functionality issues surface early when they're easy to fix, and the product begins to feel real.
Evaluate
Methods, Processes & Deliverables
Interactive Prototypes | Usability Testing | User Feedback | Low-Fidelity Mocks
The evaluate phase answers the question: does this solution actually work for users?
I share prototypes with stakeholders for feedback, then conduct usability testing to watch real people interact with the design. I'm looking for patterns: Can users complete tasks successfully? Where do they hesitate? What's frustrating? How severe are the problems?
These insights reveal what needs to change, what functionality should be added or removed, and what's working well. I refine the design based on findings, sometimes testing again, sometimes moving forward confidently. The goal is shipping a solution we know will work.
Implement
Methods, Processes & Deliverables
High-Fidelity Mocks | Typography | Iconography | Color Palette | Imagery | Spacing | Micro-interactions | Front-End Development | Development Handoff
Implementation is where design becomes reality. This phase has two important components: visual design and developer collaboration.
First, I finalize the visual design system which includes typography, iconography, color palette, imagery, spacing, micro-interactions. Everything that creates the look and feel comes together to communicate the brand and enhance the user experience.
Second, I ensure clean handoff to developers. In traditional projects, I create comprehensive specifications. In agile environments, I work alongside developers continuously, answering questions and reviewing implementation. The best results happen when designers and developers collaborate closely and earlier rather than working in silos.
Iterate
Methods, Processes & Deliverables
Analytics | User Feedback | User Behavior | User Retention | User Conversion | Feature Prioritization
Design doesn't end at launch! That's when real learning begins. I work with the team to establish metrics revealing user behavior: what features get used, where people drop off, what paths they take. Analytics show what's happening; user feedback shows why.
Based on what is learned, I identify improvements like fixing usability issues, optimizing flows, and adding requested functionality. I prioritize based on impact and effort, working with the organization to determine what makes sense for upcoming releases. The best products evolve based on real-world usage, not just initial assumptions.
