Free-associative illustration inspired by research insights. Drawn in Adobe Illustrator.

How to engage with UX tools as a designer, especially when UX is not your primary job

Accessing specific UX tools can ignite ideas and creativity

The UX universe provides dozens of creative research and methodology tools that can help designers decide on style, trend, or direction of their work. These tools can produce many ideas and provide inspiration.

There are two major categories that designers can utilize UX tools without delving too deeply into a UX product development cycle, data research and design ideation.

An illustration highlighting how data research can spark creative ideation.

Accessing research insights and trends

A case experimentation

Let’s say we want to design an illustration board that features drinks and beverages. Where to begin? How to access ideas that are relevant and contemporary? How to get past the initial unknown?

Starting with casual research

Gathering data and trend insights is the first step to mind-mapping the topic. A simple UX tool is conducting personal interviews. Ask your friends and colleagues what they’ve…