In the occasion of World Usability Day 2014, I presented 11 lessons on UX in the UAE during a session by @UX_UAE at New York University Abu Dhabi, UAE. These lessons were drawn from my observations and experiences over the past few years. What other UX lessons did you learn?

1. 11 lessons on UX in the UAE
Observations, experiences and tips I’ve learnt over
the past few years

2. • Who am I
• Content of this presentation
• Lean Start-up workshop Mohammed Abdulmajid
@mxmajid
mmajid.com

3. 1
Everyone says they care about mobile
experience…
While they secretly don’t!
• Responsive design doesn't necessarily mean good UX.
• Don’t test mobile responsiveness on your desktop, use a smartphone… A couple
of smartphones.

4. 2
UX must be a collaborative and holistic
effort.
• Multi-talented with different and contrasting skills are the only way to deliver
great results.
• There is no one-size-fit-all UX process.
• UX is a journey that many failed to go through on every project.

5. 3
People love to create apps…
Even when they don’t need one!
• Please consider a responsive site first. It’s better in most scenarios, cheaper and
more sustainable.
• Focus on one to three key tasks for your first app (MVP), then iterate.
• Think about all the touch points and do your best to integrate.

6. 4
Why should we care about usability on
intranets?
After all, our customers are not using it!
• Maybe you don’t need an intranet! Think about your employees and their core
needs, then think about how various intranet applications can help them.
• Building a great intranet requires a specialized multidisciplinary team.
• Use iterative approach to enhance design and usability “Continuous improvement”
Photo by flickr.com/photos/ilovehappy

8. 5
90%* of websites in this region are over designed.
Your homepage doesn't have to include everything
your website has to offer.
• “A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add,
but when there is nothing left to take away.” - Antoine de Saint-Exupery
• Think of every element on your homepage, and remember that your homepage
might not be the landing page.
* This is a made-up percentage for presentation purposes only!
http://www.thenational.ae/

9. “If there's one thing you learn by working on a lot of
different Web sites, it's that almost any design idea -
no matter how appallingly bad -can be made usable in
the right circumstances, with enough effort.”
Steve Krug, Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web
Usability

10. 6
You have to understand the business
first to do good UX.
• Don’t review designs before you ask about two things:
(1) Business objectives and (2) User needs.
• Every business challenge is unique, and every design process is different.
• Think about your user’s experience in every step of the process.

12. 8
Creating an app? Either focus on
making it look good, or function well…
But why can’t we do both!
• Balance usability, utility and desirability - the three elements of good design.
• Dive deep to understand how design can help you meet your users’ needs and
speak to their aspirations.

13. 9
Don’t take the first advice…
Ask the right questions, and do your
research!
• Jargon doesn’t matter.
• Offering 20 services with a team of four, doesn’t work.
• Always trust what you experience yourself.

14. 10
UX is not only for apps and websites!
• Even the signage on your office should be a part of your UX.
• Think about UX even when designing infographics.

15. 11
UX design without research is
visual design.
• Always do your research and consult with others.
• Research doesn’t have to be expensive and time consuming.
• Read ‘Just Enough Research’ by Erika Hall

16. Thank you
@mxmajid
Any questions? mohamad@mmajid.com