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We hear the software industry is focusing its efforts on being “user-centric.” We hear “user experience”, “user interface...” But what comes first? At Thales Digital Factory, we aim to uncover the mysterious world and the odds of digital concepts. 

Throughout the 12-week MVP development, the digital products are built jointly with UX and UI experts to make sure Thales Digital Factory delivers user-centric solutions. Let’s see how it works with one of our UX/UI Designers, David Touzain: 

As a Designer, how would you differentiate User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI)? 

David T.: The UX Designer is an investigator. The first step in the UX work consists in driving a user research in order to identify user targets, in driving interviews to collect and analyzing data about their needs, designing a draft version of the website application (= wireframe) and finally testing it. The test can be run in person or through video conferences. 

Once the investigation step has been through, the UI Designer designs the final mock-up based on the feedback collected while using the corporate graphic identity and in compliance with the web usage standards (ergonomics, accessibility, mobile responsiveness, development feasibility and production tracking). The last step involves developers to test the design compliancy. 

What is your typical day on a 12-week MVP project? 

David T.: At the pre-scoping stage, the Designer contacts users in order to drive interviews in person or over the phone without guiding them through the test experience process. This approach helps not to influence the results. 

Once the wireframe has been formalized, we test the ergonomics and the workflow to ensure we correctly point out the users’ need. During the test, user feedback verbatims are collected and assessed on a numbered scale at the end of each step of the experience process. Users’ eyeballing on the screen is recorded in order to spot the intuitive experience (= eye tracking), the most solicited screen areas, and to adapt the tool accordingly. 

As Designers at the Factory, we work in an agile way acting like a cross-functional communicator between the MVP development functions. We particularly apply one of our cultural ways of working: test & learn. 

Can you think of a direct positive impact of UX/UI design at the Factory? 

David T.: Building user-centric applications based on the UX work makes the product certainly adapted to the targeted demand. The UI work layer makes the product attractive and brings value to the core business with the aim to optimize and simplify our users’ work tasks with a gain in efficiency and visible profitability. 

On another note: From a user perspective, what do you think of the experience at ThalesDigital.io? 

--> Special kudos and thanks to David Touzain for the smooth UX and UI classy touch on our website!