10 UX posters

Nothing makes me happier than a good visual. I selected 10 of my favorite ux posters, some old (I mean classic), some brand new. Enjoy and if you know of some other good ones, please feel free to share in the comments.

IT’S TIME TO DECORATE THE OFFICE!

#1

UPA poster: the user centered design process

M

This one has been around for a while. Created by Meg Ross, Julie Nowicki, Dara Solomon, Larry Yarbrough, and Charlotte Schwendeman for the UPA (Usability Professionals Association) it depicts the user centered design process, including basic terms and pitfalls to watch out for. You can get a freebie for personal or educational use, or buy one at the UPA store.

m

m

#2

Ten Steps to Personas by Dr. Lene Nielsen

M

Part of a post that was posted on 2007 by Dr. Lene Nielsen. Dr Nielsen shares her extensive experience on the personas process. I highly recommend this post/poster for anyone who has ever had to define a persona.

m

m

m

#3

UCD by Paz

This is one beautiful poster. Probably due to the fact that its creator, Pascal Raabe (Paz),  is a Graphic design student. Paz found a way to both share and visualize his understanding of the UCD process. Although he is happy to distribute it freely, I encourage the UX community to consider a donation. He earned it, and his modesty as reflected on his site makes it even more appealing.

m

m

#4

IA’s the spectrum of user experience

Not an official poster, this downloadable visual was published by IA in 2009. It refers to the place of UX within any company (I’m not sure everybody else in the company also thinks we’re in the middle). There is a first post explaining it, but I did not find any sequel to this  series, though I’d love to read one.

m

m

#5

Margaret Mead on the art of observation

A great set of posters by Experience Dynamics . They put together 5 inspiring and informative posters, each stating insights by original thinkers, not necessarily your everyday UX gurus (Walt Disney is one…), but all expressed as usability principles. The vintage look is an added bonus.

m

m

#6

The fundamentals of experience design

Stephen P. Anderson, an independent product strategy and design consultant, revealed this model at the IA summit 2009. Besides being visually attractive, the model is explained in varying levels of detail, so there is the “cut to the chase” version and highly detailed terms and instructions for better implementation of these ideas. all is explained in Anderson’s post. And yes, its free.

m

m

#7

User Focus’s usability quotes

OK, so it’s not the best visual on this list, but I must say, quoting Queen Elizabeth II on usability is both hilarious and effective. Just for this, User Focus earned their place with the quotes posters they showed at the 2006 world usability day (plus they have great resources). It seems you can no longer purchase these quotes, but they will send them to you via e-mail. The 2006 world usability day had a great poster campaign, but unfortunately there is no getting hold of them anymore.

m

m

#8

Dan Saffer’s Disciplines of UX

An updated diagram for the second edition of Dan Saffer’s ‘Designing for Interaction’. Saffer explains the changes from the original diagram in his post. To me it is Saffer’s incorporation of all fields of human (user) experience in the same diagram that makes it extra special. I can’t wait for it to include  ergonomics and so I will be able to present all my skills in one diagram – Yay!

m

m

#9

10 Principles poster Dieter Rams

Dieter Rams is a renowned industrial designer. over 30 years ago he defined 10 principles for good design. Any design. The principles reflect his ‘less is more’ approach and it is quite amazing how relevant they still are. The poster, created by Bibliotheque, depicts both his principles and products.

m

m

#10

OK, it wasn’t easy trying to choose the closing act of this list. So I decided, I am a libra, that means I don’t have to decide and rather I’ll let you choose which you prefer, or just enjoy them all.

#10A

Color theory by Paper Leaf

Visual paradise, joy to the eyes and to the soul and even practical. Jeff’s beautiful color theory poster covers the basics of color and you don’t have to be a graphic designer to benefit from it. A popular resource created by Paper Leaf, completely free with multiple downloadable options.

m

#10B

UCD for Digital Products

Namahn consultancy have already designed a new poster that depicts their updated (but retro) view of human centered design, I kind of have a thing for the old, 2004, underground map one. You can find them both on their site.

m

m

and finally, a list of even more diagrams prepared by a Luke Wroblewski (former design lead at Yahoo!)

User Experience Diagrams by Luke Wroblewski