April 8, 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many aspects to consider when outsourcing UX design<\/strong>. That\u2019s why we decided to make this guide that companies may find helpful when contracting this service.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n In the digital era, it is well known that user experience design is a\n practice that must be implemented in all types of products or systems, \nespecially when companies expect their clients to interact with their brands in a unique way<\/strong>.\n Therefore, discovering what the main needs and interests of users are \nwill help companies to develop products specifically designed for them, \nthus ensuring their satisfaction and engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because of this, in recent years, companies have realized that outsourcing UX means an investment for their business <\/strong>because it offers many benefits such as reducing costs <\/strong>or drawing on the software development company\u2019s experience, among others. Thanks to this, it\u2019s no wonder that the global outsourcing market amounted to 85.6 billion dollars in 2018, according to Statista.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Considering the above, we decided to make a guide of 5 things that companies shouldn\u2019t overlook when outsourcing UX design<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Outsourcing UX services is highly recommended. If your company does \nnot have its own design department, this is the best decision. Whether \nit is a large or small business, it is very convenient since building an\n internal department takes a lot of time and is certainly more expensive<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For its part, the UX design company already has a team formed which \nhas the necessary skills and expertise. Although we occasionally work on\n projects in which a few designers are assigned (even sometimes just \none), they are backed by the entire team, so the experience ends up \nbeing much more rewarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, if the firm does have its own team of designers, \noutsourcing is still an excellent option, as many times they are very \nfocused only on the visual part of the design. By hiring a UX company \nexpert, they work together with your employees so that you can start thinking further ahead<\/strong>, focusing on the user experience and thus enriching your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having this clear, let\u2019s go back to the guideline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The scope should be established at the beginning of the project, at least defining how far it is going to get, unless it is an on demand<\/em> project and objectives are set as time goes by. However, it is advisable to plan a strategy beforehand that defines the steps to be taken, the deliverables to be provided, and the result to be obtained<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As for the scope, it varies depending on the type of project. \nSometimes it focuses on a single product and the scope reaches up to the\n point of the product\u2019s lifecycle where it was agreed, but other times, \nit can continue to be improved after the launch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally, the UX process first allows you to determine how to build \nthe product and then, through tests, to identify areas for improvement \nwhere you can continue building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The process usually begins with a first stage of discovery<\/em> or research<\/em>, whose purpose is to fully understand the problem<\/strong>,\n delving into what the product is, what it is used for, who it is aimed \nat, and what needs it will fulfill for the user. To this end, different \nthings can be done, such as analyzing the competition or interviewing \nthe target directly, which is much more valuable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This phase ends with a delineation of the focus of what is to be done. After that, the stage of sketch<\/em> or wireframes<\/em> begins, where a low quality prototype of what the product is going to be is built<\/strong>,\n and then, it is tested with the users themselves (if possible), and if \nnot, it is validated with the product specialists within the contracting\n company. Once this is tested and approved, that is when it is possible \nto start designing visually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is an iterative process, which means that every time something \nnew is improved or designed, it is tested again, and the same steps are \nrepeated from scratch. Therefore, it is advisable not to rush or be anxious, as each phase is essential to the success of the project<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still, although the process per se is the same, the dynamic of the \ndeliveries changes according to the project\u2019s methodology, depending on \nwhether you are using Scrum or if it is more like an on demand<\/em> \nwork. Whatever the case may be, sticking to the process is crucial in \norder to have a more organized workflow and achieve better results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When outsourcing UX, it is crucial that you understand that the \ndesigners\u2019 work is not solo. In our experience, we have seen better \nresults in the development when we have worked closely with the client\u2019s\n team. That is why we always try to involve them as much as possible throughout the UX design process<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, during the discovery<\/em>\n stage, we take them to do fieldwork with us so that they can see what \nis being done and where the results are coming from. That is why it is \nimportant to be willing to get fully involved and not just when we \npresent the final results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For this, it is necessary to be open to maintain constant communication, provide feedback continuously, and be available to engage in a conversation<\/strong> in order to see and understand the process and work as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure the outsourcing company that will provide your UX\/UI solutions puts focus on this and lets you be part of the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are tons of things that can be done in user experience. Take advantage of the team\u2019s capabilities to analyze, investigate, propose ideas, and design visually<\/strong>, while you learn from their good practices, techniques, tools, experience, user understanding, communication, and team collaboration<\/strong>. All this knowledge can be implemented within your internal design team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bear in mind this can be a beneficial experience for both parties. \nFor example, what the outsource UX team can do will depend on the times \nof the project, but within its scope, it can participate up to the \nimplementation and even code a little.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the same time, there are certain things that are not usually \ncontemplated but could be considered. For example, one of the untapped \ncapabilities of user experience designers is to set the tone of the \ncontent for the app or product as they know how it works and understand \nfirsthand the needs of the end user and how they interact with the app. \nThe UX designer can offer, not only some communication guidelines that \ngo with the visual and usability proposal, but also an integral \nexperience throughout the different points where the user interacts with\n the brand\/product (website, advertising, the app by itself, etc.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although you usually have a person inside the company who generates \ncontent and is in constant communication with the designers, if you want\n to get a comprehensive UX proposal, it is a good option to get everything from the UX firm you hire<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The biggest challenge to face when outsourcing UX is to understand and accept that sometimes the concept of the product that you have in mind for developing is not always the one you end up launching<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The main reason why this happens is that it is a priority to \nunderstand what the user expects from that product in order to provide \nthe best possible solution, and many times, their expectations do not \ncoincide with the idea you had in the beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure the outsourcing company involves you in the process so you \nwill better understand if in the research stage you get different \nresults to those you had in mind. This will allow you to be more flexible to make the necessary changes so that the product ends up being ideal<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Outsourcing UX is an excellent opportunity for any kind of company, \nwhether it has its own design team or not, as well as for any type of \nproject, whether it has a product that has already been started or not. \nIn order to do it, it is essential to be willing to get involved in the process and maintain a close relationship with the firm that has been hired<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Follow this guide to make the most out of this practice. Outsourcing UX design, why not?<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" April 8, 2019 There are many aspects to consider when outsourcing UX design. That\u2019s why we decided to make this guide that companies may find helpful when contracting this service. In the digital era, it is well known that user experience design is a practice that must be implemented in all types of products or… Read More »What not to miss when outsourcing UX design<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[9,11,8,10],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.smart-bricks.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/736"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.smart-bricks.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.smart-bricks.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.smart-bricks.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.smart-bricks.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=736"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.smart-bricks.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/736\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":738,"href":"http:\/\/www.smart-bricks.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/736\/revisions\/738"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.smart-bricks.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=736"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.smart-bricks.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=736"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.smart-bricks.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=736"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Before that, let\u2019s see why you should go for it!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Set the scope at the beginning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2. Stick to the process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3. Be part of the team<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
4. Leverage everything the UX company can provide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
5. Have your feet on the ground<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
To Sum Up<\/h3>\n\n\n\n