Importance of UX Design to Bespoke Software Development

At CSG we couldn’t be without our UX design team. They ensure that each software project is built around the user's needs and goals. With years of experience and endless knowledge about the 20+ laws of UX as well as current digital trends, our UX designers conduct research and devise wireframes and prototypes and carry out user testing at the outset of a project and throughout. This process informs the workflow and system architecture and is the very foundation of each development. 

Although each project is unique, here they share their guiding principles for always creating software with an exceptional user experience at its heart.  

1. Designing software for people 

Before any styling or coding takes place on a bespoke software project, we set about creating a user experience which is totally unique to our client. User experience is about creating software, which is accessible, intuitive, and easy to use. Ultimately UX design is all about how a person feels when they interact with a system, website or app. It’s a feeling. At CSG we aim to create positive connections between our audience and their software.  

As everything we do is bespoke, we craft every user experience from the ground up. A process that begins by understanding who the end user is. By getting to know the user’s role, their needs, their values, as well as any limitations they may face, we are able to build a digital experience which is purposeful and relevant. As well as understanding the user, we also look to analyse the business goals and how current operations are run so that we can generate ideas to solve pain points. 

2. Providing an experience which is easy to use and learn 

Cleverly simple software is what we’re all about. Defining a logical and efficient user flow is all-important. As UX designers, a key component of designing an effective user experience is usability; the ease of accomplishing a task within the software. When it comes to usability, less is more. The fewer the steps to navigate in the workflow the better. We often design software for remote workers who will need to be able to use the software both independently and quickly. Consistency, predictability and accessibility are important considerations here. 

Occam's Razor theory is something we tend to keep in mind here to ensure we are reducing complexities and instead devising the simplest process possible which doesn’t compromise the overall function.  

3. Offering user control and freedom  

Interaction design needs to foresee mistakes and offer emergency exits. Prevention of serious error must be considered upfront. We’ve all accidentally tapped the wrong button before and relied on undo and back buttons to save the day. The user should never feel like they’re stuck. Their journey through the system should always allow for human error and offer a fix there and then.  

Postel’s Law reminds us to be flexible and anticipate virtually anything from the user’s interaction with the software. It’s important that when designing we are empathetic to different actions and inputs to ensure the design is both responsive and resilient. User testing with real people to validate the workflow helps us gain great insights too. As agile software developers we ideate, prototype and test with users to cover all bases. User experience isn't set in stone. It's something that can be continuously improved upon as our client's business and their service or product evolves.

4. Surprising and delighting 

One aspect of building a user experience that should never be underestimated is its ability to surprise and delight. Creating a memorable impact may come in the form of clever touches, messages, and interactions that offers that something extra. It could be through grand gestures such as offering fully customised dashboards, a guided progress tracker or a fun animation while a report downloads. Or gratification can be achieved more subtly by exceeding expectations; reducing the time to complete a task from the expected duration or providing seamless, thoughtful integrations which make the lives of the user both easier and that bit more joyful too. Or when we think we’ve streamlined a process as much as possible, we’re always wondering how we can go the extra mile to make the automation even smarter still. 

As UX designers we like to build connections which are relevant and personalised to our audience. We do this by giving our software some personality; finding ways to engage and speak to the user which in turn creates a bond from which loyalty and trust can form.  

5. Creating second nature software

A successful user experience is judged not by us as the designers but by our intended audience. If using the software becomes second nature to the user, they've achieved their goals and they enjoy their experience, then we can feel confident we’ve done our job well. We design software for a perfect business fit and that has to start with the people at the heart of their business; providing a tool which equips them with the power to work efficiently and effortlessly.

If you think that your software project could benefit from the value of our UX team, please do get in touch. We'd love to help you craft a bespoke user experience for your software that is as unique as your business.