Website Redesign UX Cohort Meetings, with project lead Robyn Ness and user experience lead Meris Mandernach

The first meeting of UX (User Experience) Cohorts for the Libraries’ user-centered website redesign project kicked off on Wednesday, March 15. Robyn Ness gave an overview of the role of a UX Cohort as part of the Libraries’ 2017 website redesign project. The group learned why usability is so important, and received an outline of general usability concepts. Robyn emphasized that, while we as library professionals are the functional experts for our services, we are not our users. As cohorts we will act as liaisons to investigating user needs.

Attendees then individually created personas that would be representative of someone using a service available on the libraries’ web sites.  Finally, everyone was asked to fill out a card to indicating what area they wished to participate as a cohort. A project of this size needs help with usability testing, data analysis, blogging, and more.   

The Thursday, March 27 meeting was led by Meris Mandernach and focused on those who indicated an interest in participating as a UX Cohort in some capacity. She provided an overview of the different types of user research, including but not limited to:

  • Card sorting. An investigatory style that will likely be used during our research. Subjects are given cards with subjects or other information on them and are then asked to group things that seem connected.  This helps develop the structure of the website. The challenge is that while it can be hard for those tested to think hypothetically, it does produce some interesting suggestions.
  • Contextual interviews. The library may conduct contextual interviews, as they allow both direct observation of and contact with the interviewee. The challenge of this type of usability research is that it can be time-consuming, and the intention is to move quickly on the redesign process.
  • Focus Groups. Gathering focus groups can be helpful, because it gives a bigger picture of what users wish to accomplish, and what is motivating them to use the website.

Other options are task analysis, first-click testing, heat maps and user surveys. All can provide a wealth of information to analyze how our site is used. Multiple methods will be combined as needed. 

Meris answered some follow-up questions from the attendees, clarifying how usability testing can help guide the redesign process. Finally, the cohorts broke into groups based on project assignments and discussed their roles. 

Cohorts are encouraged to check for updates at the Website Redesign Project Wiki, and if they have further questions, reach out to Meris Mandernach (mandernach.1) or Robyn Ness (ness.16).

The next meeting (being scheduled soon!) will delve further into card sorting, followed by more group project time.