This section is dedication to supporting The UX Sketchbook Research + Design Methods Hex Deck.

As a team lead or instructor, introducing the myriad of design and research methods to UX design teams or students can be daunting and confusing if you are not versed in User-Experience. Which methods are applicable? At what stage do you implement methods in the design process? And what methods are dependent on others? The UX Hex Deck provides a clear and simple starter-set of methods in an interactive and engaging activity format. It allows designers to set up strategic plans visually and review the plan from end to end. Cards can be moved or shifted based on the project progress and iterations.

The cards are designed in a hexagon format so that planning, timing and dependencies can be established. Cards can be aligned horizontally for linear scheduling. They can be stacked vertically if the methods are to be performed simultaneously and arranged diagonally to represent a method’s dependency on others.

You may purchase a Research + Design Methods Hex Deck Kit here.

Instructions:
Based on the project at hand, users are to review the Hex Deck cards, and choose the most applicable research and design methods they feel are needed in order to benefit their design team. The users then lay out the cards in a chronological order (as shown in diagram at left) in the overall flow of the design process. Aligning the cards horizontally, vertically and at angles allow the users to see an overview of the timing and relationships, as many methods are dependent on others in the sequence. Once the broad picture is presented, the methods can then be placed in a project management tool and backlogs can be developed with a breakdown of assigned tasks. (See example below)