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       More and more the world of banking and investing is moving into the online and technological world. Terms like “cryptocurrency” and “bitcoin” have steadily been gaining popularity as user’s are finding ways to handle their finances in a way that matches today’s fast-paced, digital world.  In relation to online financial going ons, another term that is gaining a lot of recent attention is “blockchain”. Blockchain is not a new term, but it is generating increasing buzz since they will have a massive impact on the future of online banking, investing, digital identity, and more. While blockchain is not a new concept, it is still in its exploration stage in terms of how exactly it will be designed and applied.

     One of the big buzzwords circling UX and tech circles lately is “robotics process automation” or RPA for short. Robotic process automation is a big fancy way of talking about the process of using “software robots” or other specialized computer programs as a way to have repeatable business processes become automated, standardized, and ultimately, something that no longer has to take up actual human bandwidth. If you are reading this and thinking to yourself that this sounds like the beginning stages of allowing the robots to take over, have no fear. This is where user experience research and design comes in to save the day.

       
            There have been breathless articles written about how virtual or augmented reality is going to change everything for decades. Virtual Reality (VR) hardware (often glasses or goggles) allow the user to interact with a computer-generated immersive environment, where Augmented Reality (AR) devices overlay information onto the world without the processing power requirements of virtual reality. Costs are down, bandwidth is up, but it’s 2019, and with few exceptions, what Adam Draper of Boost VC calls “digital reality” remains a technology in search of a killer app.

      As our technological devices keep changing, we see that physical buttons are being replaced with smooth touch screens that instead invite users to tap, swipe, drag and more. Users are able to navigate and control their interface without having to rely on pushing physical buttons. Nowadays, as users, we are more and more interacting with devices by using gestures as opposed to pushing any kind of button. But, does that mean physical buttons are disappearing? And is this a good or bad change for users?

    Interaction with a product through a digital interface has become the standard across the industry, whether through a mobile app, desktop software, website, etc. it is the go-to for companies when creating a product to solve a problem. This is the reality we live in, but often users are not looking to add another interface or step to their routine. Users are instead looking to simplify a process. Zero UI looks beyond screens as the go-to solution and over to what would be a more natural and passive solution within a process to solve a problem. Not every process or product should be replaced by Zero UI. The design thinking behind Zero UI should be to approach every problem with it as a possible solution, but not the only solution.

    Virtual Reality today is truly off-the-shelf – the tools required for developing, disseminating and consuming a VR experience is available, accessible and affordable. This progress has enabled not only programmers but also technology novices to create significant immersive experiences. However, one of the major pieces missing in this field is a robust design and evaluation methodology that ensures that the experiences we create are not only immersive and interactive but also impactful.

       In September, Key Lime Interactive presented a user testing study (N=12) on the post-match statistics screen of PUBG mobile at the Games UX Summit in Vancouver, hosted by EA. During our presentation, we provided design considerations and opportunities for improvement for the post-match screen, drawing best practices from other games from mobile and PC platforms. For example, comparing to PUBG mobile, Warships Blitz (iOS, Android) provides a more detailed and accessible post-match screen, organized so that it serves players of different types.

      As UX Researchers and Designers, we work hard to have empathy and understand all different kinds of user groups. By understanding differences between groups, we are able to design technology that caters to user’s wants and needs. Two interesting groups to consider when designing products are Millennials and Baby Boomers because of the way they use, view, and evaluate technology is very different and is crucial when designing a product.

      Chatbots are an AI-controlled program that is designed to simulate human conversations by engaging in a typical chat flow. Users are able to interact with a Chatbot and receive immediate feedback through voice or text interactions with the program. Chatbots are used by many companies to quickly interact with their customers and help provide the user with information in a quick and effective manner.

      We’ve discussed various design processes such as design thinking and design feeling, but we have yet to discuss the design process that focuses on the user from beginning to end. While this may seem silly to state, often time the design process is focused on trying to convey a certain message or goal, and the way in which the user can interact with that sometimes falls secondary. This isn’t for lack of interest in the user, this often time happens because the design process is fueled by peoples creative ideas and creating emotionally meaningful concepts. So how do we effectively tighten the reins on this creative process to make sure that the user remains the focus?