Those who use an application expect added value from it. The business value shows which function offers how much added value. As a metric, the value helps to compare different functions and weight them in terms of their benefits. The result is a rough structure that serves as a starting point for the software architecture.

The information architecture shows which functions can later be found where. The structure of the information architecture must be logical and intuitive: after all, it should make it as easy as possible for users to find the information they are looking for. The goal: to generate conversions – in other words, to turn mere visitors into active users.

The content concept revolves around the structure of the pages. First we define how many different and which page types there should be. Next, it’s a matter of what information each page should hold. We are already dividing the envisaged content into several content modules. In addition, we develop a concept to fully exploit the internal link power.

Lo-fi wireframes illustrate ideas as raw blueprints. These are rough sketches drawn by hand. These are then followed by digital wireframes that take structures and functions into account: for example, text blocks, buttons, or the zones where menus, images, or headlines will later be located. Using such a lo-fi wireframe, we create a lo-fi prototype.

Hi-Fi wireframes include details like first images or texts. The business value of the individual functions also becomes important again: to show the different added value of the functions, we use the Niehaus wireframe technique. Dark shades of gray mark functions with high business value, lighter ones less important. We also define the responsive behavior of the website or app.

It’s not just websites and apps that benefit from the techniques and insights of user experience design. They can also be applied to any workflow. Optimizing existing internal processes is also part of our range of services. As a result, collaboration is easier in retrospect – which in turn saves time and money in most cases.

Within the design process we create prototypes again and again – so also during the conception. First, they serve to make the final application imaginable already during the process. Second, prototypes are important for testing. Both contribute to making the development process as efficient as possible. Our prototypes can be easily transferred to the final frontend and connected to the backend.

Several UX experts independently assume the role of users and test the application from their perspective. They list deficits in order of importance in severity ratings, compare them and propose solutions. True, it is the fastest test method. However, the experts cannot cover all personalities, especially in the case of very inhomogeneous target groups.

In this method, subjects test two variants of an application – for example, a prototype that has been optimized by two different measures. Subsequently, we evaluate how the users behaved with variant A and variant B, respectively. Based on this, we assess which of the two optimization measures has more effect. If necessary, we repeat the A/B testing with new variants.

Eye tracking directly shows how test subjects interact with software – for example, which elements attract attention first or how long a test subject lingers where. We analyze the recorded eye movements and create a heat map from them. This clearly shows deficits in structure and design.

Usability tests show whether users actually act as expected and where the weak points of an application lie. For this purpose, members of the target group perform standardized tasks in the prototype. Our UX experts observe them doing this and encourage them to “think out loud”; afterwards, they conduct a structured survey.

Colors, shapes and the visual language are elements that can be visualized well with the help of mood boards. At the same time, this makes it easy to experiment with styles, discard design ideas, and thus gradually determine the direction in which the UI and UX design should later go.

UI includes all the elements with which users interact with an application – such as buttons, text fields, or the menu. What these look like depends on the target group. Designs with a sober “flat” look are popular. Material” design provides more depth – for example, through shadows and animations. Skeuomorphic elements have a plastic effect.

The interaction design fulfills several functions: It should signal to users that their action has “arrived” and that they will receive a reaction to it: for example, when they scroll from one part to the next or press a button. In contrast, animations make transitions more comprehensible and emotionally charge the content.

Users associate certain values with most brands – if these match their own values, they usually view the brand behind them positively. We help companies position themselves more clearly in the market: To do this, we sharpen the profile of their products and brands so that they stand out from the competition.