Digital UX Design

Digital UX design creates intuitive, engaging, and easy-to-use digital products that fulfill their promise to users. Through our Experience Thinking framework, we examine how people experience your brand, content, products, and services across four connected areas. Every digital product has a user experience, but not every product designs it intentionally. We help you create experiences that give you competitive advantage by ensuring users find interactions effective, seamless, and enjoyable.

Tip: Start with understanding your users' current pain points before jumping into solutions.

We define success through measurable user outcomes - task completion rates, user satisfaction scores, engagement metrics, and business impact. Digital products succeed when they solve real user problems efficiently while delivering business value. Our approach starts with the experience first, not the technology, following the principle that great experiences drive loyalty and business results.

Tip: Define success metrics upfront and track both user satisfaction and business impact throughout the project.

UX design focuses on the overall user experience - how people interact with and feel about your digital product throughout their entire journey. UI design concentrates on the visual interface elements users see and interact with. At Akendi, we integrate both seamlessly through our Experience Thinking approach, ensuring visual design supports optimal user experiences.

Tip: Invest in UX research and strategy before finalizing UI designs - beautiful interfaces mean nothing if they don't solve user problems.

User behavior reveals how people actually use your product versus how you think they use it. Understanding these patterns helps identify friction points, optimize task flows, and design experiences that align with natural user tendencies. Our research-driven approach uncovers unconscious user behaviors that directly impact product success.

Tip: Observe actual user behavior through testing rather than relying solely on what users say they do.

Strong UX design reduces support costs, increases user adoption, improves conversion rates, and builds customer loyalty. When users can easily accomplish their goals, they're more likely to become repeat customers and advocates. Our Experience Thinking framework ensures design decisions connect directly to business objectives.

Tip: Calculate the business impact of UX improvements by tracking metrics like reduced support tickets and increased user retention.

Accessibility ensures your digital product works for users with diverse abilities and needs. It's not just about compliance - accessible design often improves usability for everyone. We integrate accessibility considerations throughout the design process, creating inclusive experiences that expand your potential user base.

Tip: Test your designs with assistive technologies and diverse users early in the process, not as an afterthought.

Mobile-first design prioritizes the most constrained experience first, ensuring core functionality works perfectly on smaller screens before expanding to larger ones. This approach forces focus on essential features and creates cleaner, more efficient experiences across all devices. Most users now expect seamless mobile experiences.

Tip: Design for thumb-friendly navigation and consider how users hold their devices when creating mobile interfaces.

We combine qualitative and quantitative methods including user interviews, usability testing, card sorting, journey mapping, analytics analysis, and contextual inquiries. Our Experience Thinking approach examines user needs across brand, content, product, and service touchpoints to create holistic understanding. Each method reveals different insights about user behavior and preferences.

Tip: Use multiple research methods to triangulate findings - one method alone rarely tells the complete story.

We use ethnographic research techniques, in-depth interviews, and behavioral observation to understand what users really need versus what they say they need. Like the car rental story in Tedde's Experience Thinking book, small insights about human connection can transform entire experiences. We look beyond surface behaviors to uncover deeper motivations.

Tip: Ask 'why' at least three times when users describe their behaviors to uncover root motivations.

We conduct both moderated and unmoderated usability tests with real users completing actual tasks. Testing happens throughout the design process - early concept testing, wireframe validation, and final product testing. We focus on task completion, error recovery, and overall user satisfaction while identifying specific friction points.

Tip: Test with users who match your actual audience, not just colleagues or friends who might be too familiar with your product.

We create early, non-technically working versions of experiences and test them with users before investing in full development. This follows the Experience Thinking principle of starting with the experience, not the technology. We use prototypes, A/B testing, and iterative feedback loops to validate concepts.

Tip: Build testable prototypes quickly and fail fast - it's cheaper to change designs than code.

We track both quantitative metrics (task completion rates, time on task, error rates) and qualitative feedback (satisfaction scores, emotional responses, preference ratings). Our approach includes baseline measurements and ongoing monitoring to track improvement over time. User satisfaction connects directly to business outcomes.

Tip: Establish baseline measurements before redesigning so you can prove the value of UX improvements.

Journey mapping reveals the complete experience from a user's perspective, showing pain points, emotions, and opportunities across all touchpoints. Following our Experience Thinking framework, we map how users move between brand, content, product, and service interactions. This holistic view identifies disconnects and improvement opportunities.

Tip: Include emotional states and pain points in your journey maps, not just the steps users take.

We tailor research approaches based on timeline, budget, and project goals. Quick methods like guerrilla testing or remote research can provide valuable insights when time is limited. Our flexible approach ensures you get actionable user insights regardless of constraints. Every project benefits from some level of user input.

Tip: Even 15-minute hallway tests with 5 users can reveal major usability issues if time is extremely limited.

Our process starts with user research and strategy, then moves through information architecture, wireframing, interaction design, and visual design. We follow our Experience Thinking framework throughout, ensuring brand, content, product, and service experiences connect seamlessly. Each phase includes user validation and stakeholder collaboration.

Tip: Involve stakeholders in the design process through workshops and reviews, but don't let too many opinions dilute user insights.

We start with understanding user mental models through card sorting and tree testing, then create structures that match how users naturally categorize information. Our approach considers both current content and future growth. Like building architecture mentioned in the Experience Thinking book, we create the blueprint before construction begins.

Tip: Test your information architecture with real users before designing detailed interfaces - structure problems are expensive to fix later.

We create wireframes that focus on functionality and user flow before adding visual design. Prototypes range from paper sketches to interactive digital mockups, depending on what needs testing. We iterate quickly based on user feedback, creating multiple versions to find the optimal solution.

Tip: Keep early wireframes low-fidelity to avoid stakeholders getting distracted by visual details instead of focusing on functionality.

We develop design systems that include reusable components, interaction patterns, and visual guidelines. These systems ensure consistency while allowing flexibility for different contexts. Our approach creates scalable solutions that maintain coherence as your product grows and evolves.

Tip: Document design decisions and create style guides that your team can reference long after the project ends.

We design mobile-first, then scale up to larger screens while maintaining user experience quality across all devices. Our approach considers how interaction patterns change across screen sizes and input methods. We test designs on actual devices to ensure real-world usability.

Tip: Design for the smallest screen first - it forces you to prioritize the most important content and features.

Visual design supports usability by creating clear hierarchy, guiding attention, and reinforcing brand identity. It's not just about aesthetics - good visual design improves comprehension and task completion. Our Experience Thinking approach ensures visual elements align with brand personality and user expectations.

Tip: Use visual design to guide users through tasks, not just to make things look pretty.

We start by understanding both user goals and business objectives, then find solutions that serve both. Sometimes this requires educating stakeholders about how user-centered design ultimately drives business success. Our approach creates win-win solutions rather than compromises that satisfy neither group.

Tip: Frame UX decisions in business terms - show how improved user experiences impact metrics that matter to leadership.

Our Experience Thinking framework examines digital experiences across four connected areas: how people experience your brand, content, products, and services. Each area influences the others - a strong brand makes content more engaging, which makes products more appealing, which improves service delivery. We design for all four areas to create cohesive user experiences.

Tip: Map your current user experience across all four areas to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.

We combine Experience Thinking principles with deep user research, examining how digital products fit into users' complete lifecycle journey. Like the filmmaker analogy in Tedde's book, we understand the entire experience before building any single component. This holistic approach creates connected experiences rather than isolated features.

Tip: Think like a filmmaker - understand the complete user story before designing individual scenes or interfaces.

Digital products should express brand personality through interaction patterns, visual design, content tone, and feature sets. Using our Experience Thinking framework, we ensure your digital experience reinforces brand promises rather than contradicting them. Every interaction becomes a brand touchpoint.

Tip: Define your brand personality traits first, then design digital interactions that express those same characteristics.

Content and interaction design are inseparable - users experience content through interfaces. Our Experience Thinking approach treats content as part of the product experience, ensuring information architecture, writing style, and content presentation work together seamlessly. Great content in a poor interface fails users.

Tip: Write content in the context of the interface where it will appear, not as separate documents.

Product strategy defines what problems you're solving and for whom, which directly shapes UX design decisions. Our Experience Thinking framework ensures design choices align with strategic goals while serving user needs. We balance innovation with practicality, creating products that are both useful and feasible.

Tip: Regularly validate that your design decisions still align with your product strategy as projects evolve.

We map the experience from first awareness through onboarding, active use, and long-term engagement. Like the lifecycle approach in Experience Thinking, we design for customers (who buy), users (who interact), and clients (who stay loyal). Each stage requires different design approaches and success metrics.

Tip: Design onboarding experiences that turn first-time users into confident, successful users as quickly as possible.

Digital products are part of larger service ecosystems that include customer support, training, and maintenance. Our Experience Thinking framework examines how digital touchpoints connect to human interactions. Great digital experiences reduce service friction while providing seamless escalation when needed.

Tip: Design your digital product to reduce common support requests by anticipating user questions and providing self-service options.

We work shoulder-to-shoulder with your team through workshops, regular reviews, and embedded collaboration. Our approach transfers knowledge while delivering results, building your team's UX capabilities. We adapt our working style to match your team's needs and organizational culture.

Tip: Include team members from different departments in UX workshops to build organization-wide empathy for users.

We involve stakeholders in research findings, design workshops, and user testing sessions so they see user needs firsthand. This builds empathy and support for user-centered decisions. Our approach turns stakeholders into UX advocates rather than obstacles.

Tip: Invite stakeholders to observe user testing sessions - seeing users struggle creates powerful motivation for change.

We structure feedback loops at defined milestones, focusing on user impact rather than personal preferences. Our process includes both stakeholder input and user validation to ensure decisions serve the right audience. We distinguish between feedback that improves user experience versus feedback based on opinion.

Tip: Create feedback frameworks that ask specific questions about user impact rather than general likes and dislikes.

We provide regular progress updates, share research insights as they emerge, and maintain transparent communication about challenges and solutions. Our reports focus on actionable insights and clear next steps rather than just documentation. You always know where the project stands.

Tip: Establish regular check-in schedules and stick to them - consistent communication prevents small issues from becoming big problems.

We involve developers early in the design process to understand technical constraints and opportunities. Our approach balances ideal user experience with development realities, finding creative solutions that serve both needs. We provide detailed specifications and support implementation.

Tip: Include developers in user research sessions so they understand the 'why' behind design decisions.

Deliverables include user research insights, personas, journey maps, information architecture, wireframes, interactive prototypes, visual designs, and implementation guidelines. Everything is designed for easy sharing with stakeholders and practical application by your team. We focus on useful documentation, not just pretty presentations.

Tip: Ask for deliverables in formats your team can actually use and update after the project ends.

We document design decisions, create style guides, and provide training on UX methods and tools. Our goal is building your team's capabilities so you can maintain and evolve the user experience independently. Knowledge transfer happens throughout the project, not just at the end.

Tip: Assign internal team members to shadow external UX consultants to learn methods and thinking approaches.

We start by understanding your business goals, user needs, and constraints, then recommend scope that delivers maximum impact within your parameters. Our Experience Thinking approach helps identify which areas need the most attention. We balance ambition with practicality.

Tip: Prioritize the most critical user tasks first - perfecting core functionality is better than mediocre everything.

Timeline depends on project complexity, research depth, stakeholder review cycles, and iteration requirements. More complex products need more research and testing time. We build buffer time for unexpected discoveries and stakeholder feedback. Quality UX work cannot be rushed.

Tip: Plan for at least two rounds of user testing and revision - the first test always reveals issues you didn't expect.

We expect some changes as understanding deepens and use agile approaches that accommodate evolution. Our process includes regular checkpoints to assess scope and priorities. We distinguish between changes that improve user experience versus scope creep that dilutes focus.

Tip: Document the user impact of proposed changes to help stakeholders make informed decisions about scope adjustments.

We help prioritize features based on user value and business impact, creating phased approaches that deliver value incrementally. Our Experience Thinking framework ensures early phases create coherent experiences rather than fragmented features. Each phase builds toward the complete vision.

Tip: Design the complete experience first, then identify which components can be built in phases without breaking the user journey.

We establish success metrics upfront and track progress through user testing, stakeholder feedback, and design milestone reviews. Success includes both user experience improvements and business outcome achievement. We course-correct based on data, not assumptions.

Tip: Define what success looks like before starting design work, not after you've already created solutions.

We provide implementation support, conduct post-launch usability testing, and help establish ongoing UX practices. The goal is sustainable user experience that continues improving after our engagement ends. We offer various support models based on your team's needs.

Tip: Plan for post-launch user feedback collection - real usage often reveals issues that testing missed.

Through clear objectives, rigorous user research, iterative design validation, and strategic implementation guidance, we ensure UX investments create lasting competitive advantage and measurable business impact. Our Experience Thinking approach connects design decisions to business outcomes throughout the process.

Tip: Track UX success metrics for at least 6 months after launch to understand the long-term impact of design improvements.

We work with your development team to understand technical constraints and opportunities, then design solutions that optimize user experience within system capabilities. Our approach finds creative ways to improve UX without requiring complete system overhauls. We balance ideal design with practical implementation.

Tip: Map your current technical architecture early to identify opportunities and constraints for UX improvements.

We design for platform-specific interaction patterns while maintaining experience consistency across devices. Our approach considers how users move between platforms and ensures seamless handoffs. We test designs on actual devices to verify real-world performance.

Tip: Design for the most constrained platform first, then expand to take advantage of additional capabilities on other platforms.

Performance is a core UX consideration - slow interfaces frustrate users regardless of visual appeal. We design with performance in mind, optimizing loading states, minimizing cognitive load, and creating efficient task flows. Speed is a feature, not just a technical requirement.

Tip: Design meaningful loading states and progress indicators - users tolerate delays better when they understand what's happening.

We use existing analytics to understand current user behavior and identify problem areas, then validate design improvements through data. Our approach combines quantitative insights with qualitative user research to create complete understanding. Data informs decisions but doesn't replace user empathy.

Tip: Set up analytics tracking for key user tasks before launching new designs so you can measure improvement.

Accessibility is built into our design process from the beginning, not added afterward. We follow WCAG guidelines while considering diverse user needs, abilities, and contexts. Our approach creates inclusive experiences that work better for everyone, not just users with specific needs.

Tip: Test your designs with keyboard navigation and screen readers early in the process - accessibility fixes are easier to implement in wireframes than finished designs.

We focus on user needs first, then determine how emerging technologies can better serve those needs. Our Experience Thinking approach ensures new technologies enhance rather than complicate user experiences. We prototype and test new interaction patterns before full implementation.

Tip: Start with user problems you want to solve, then evaluate if emerging technologies offer better solutions than existing approaches.

We create design systems and component libraries that can evolve with your product. Our approach anticipates future needs while solving current problems. We document design patterns and decision-making frameworks that help your team maintain consistency as the product grows.

Tip: Design components that can be reused in different contexts rather than one-off solutions for specific pages.