Lean UX is a proven approach for lean startup environment. My lean UX process is based on a commonly 6 step cycle ux process. In my practice with a few startups, I found it worked better for me to split the first step “concept” into 2 steps: discovery and wireframe. Thus my process is 7 steps – discovery, Wireframe, prototype, validate internally, test externally, summarize, iterate.

1. A LEAN DESIGN PROCESS
FOR CREATING AWESOME UX

2. CHALLENGES FOR UX-DERS IN STARTUP
Note: Illustration by Claire
Murray. Adapted by Annie
Wang.
Challenges & Situation
§ Fewer resources
§ Creative isolation
§ Multiple directions
§ Fast pace, tight schedule.

3. DESIGN CAN CHANGE BUSINESS
h"p://www.linnnk.com/confiden2al-­‐apple-­‐diagram
Design Is A Marketing Tool
The best marketing tool you can have is a well-designed
application.

4. UX DESIGNER AS A FACILITATOR
Note: Left: Reproduction rights obtainable from
www.cartoonstock.com; right: Rosenfeld Media.
The role of UX designer is changing
§ Less about the beautiful pictures, more about facilitation
and collaboration
§ Manages and plans team interaction in the design process
§ Needs to have broad skills, more than design disciplines.

5. LEAN UX FOR START UP
WHAT IS LEAN UX
A proven approach for a Lean Startup.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF LEAN UX
§ Designer + Product Manager + developer = 1 Product Team
§ Goal-Driven & Outcome-Focused
§ Repeatable and routinized
§ Rapid cycles: think/make/check
§ Generate many options and decide quickly which to pursue
§ Focus on solving the right problem
§ Recognize hypotheses and validate with user feedback
§ Externalize: Make your work and your process visible to the rest of your
team.
§ Research with users is the best source of information & inspiration
Note: http://luxr.co/lean-ux/9-principles-for-lean-ux/

6. MY LEAN UX PROCESS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

7. CASE STUDY: PHOTOBOX!
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8. LEAN ≠ SKINNY
Reduce
Cycle
Time
Not
Build
Time
MAKE
THINK
CHECK
Note: Left: Lean UX fundamentals, Kellogg Edition,
04/2011; Right: Original artist: Leigh Rubin.

9. USER FEEDBACK IS THE KEY
Note: From “Design Criticism and the
Creative Process” by Cassie MacDaniel
What sales promised
Pre-release version
General release version
What the customer
actually wanted

10. MY DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
LESS IS MORE
§ Simple and clear § More details
§ Less features § More interactions
§ Less pages § More innovations
§ Less buttons § More on customer
§ Less on “wow” feedback

11. THANK YOU
annie@anniestudio.org
www.anniestudio.org
©anniestudio 2012