Glossaries & Design terms

Context of use refers to the conditions and environments in which a product is used.

A control group is a group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment, used as a benchmark to measure effects.

A cross-sectional study examines data from a population at one specific point in time to identify patterns and correlations.

A case study is an in-depth analysis of a particular individual, group, or event to explore causation and find underlying principles.

Cross-disciplinary collaboration involves working with experts from different fields to solve complex problems.

The creative process is a series of steps that lead to the generation of new and innovative ideas.

Customer experience (CX) encompasses all interactions a customer has with a brand, influencing their overall satisfaction and loyalty.

Cross-functional collaboration involves working with team members from different departments to achieve common goals.

Domain management involves the administration of domain names, including registration, renewal, and configuration for websites and email.

Design thinking is a problem-solving approach that involves understanding user needs, ideating solutions, prototyping, and testing to create innovative products.

Data synthesis is the process of combining and analyzing data from multiple sources to generate meaningful insights and inform decision-making.

A design brief is a document that outlines the objectives, scope, and requirements of a design project.

Design systems are collections of reusable components and guidelines that ensure consistency across a product or brand.

Design principles are fundamental guidelines that inform and shape the design process, ensuring consistency and quality.

A design sprint is a time-constrained process that uses design thinking to solve problems and test solutions rapidly.

Divergent thinking involves generating multiple, diverse ideas and solutions, encouraging creativity.

Digital sustainability involves creating digital products and services that minimize environmental impact and promote resource efficiency.

Design for longevity focuses on creating products that are durable, repairable, and timeless to reduce waste and promote sustainability.

Data visualization is the graphical representation of data to help users understand complex information and make informed decisions.

Design consistency ensures uniformity in design elements across a product or brand, enhancing user experience and brand identity.

Digital art refers to artwork created using digital tools and software.

DPI (dots per inch) is a measure of image resolution used in printing, indicating the number of dots in a linear inch.

Design research is the systematic investigation of user needs, behaviors, and experiences to inform the design process.

Digital illustration is the creation of artwork using digital tools and techniques.

Data analytics involves analyzing data to extract meaningful insights and support decision-making.

Digital presence refers to a brand's online visibility and activity across various digital channels.

Digital transformation is the integration of digital technology into all areas of a business, fundamentally changing how it operates and delivers value.

Design patterns are reusable solutions to common design problems.

Data collection is the process of gathering information for research purposes.

Data analysis involves examining and interpreting data to extract meaningful insights.

Design strategy is a plan that outlines how design will be used to achieve business objectives.

Disruptive innovation refers to innovations that significantly alter or disrupt existing markets or industries.

Design iteration is the repetitive process of refining a design based on feedback and testing.

Design for sustainability focuses on creating products and processes that minimize environmental impact and promote long-term ecological balance.

An empathy map is a visual tool used to understand the emotional and cognitive experiences of users, helping designers create user-centered solutions.

Error rate is the percentage of user actions that result in errors, indicating the usability and reliability of a product.

Empathy in design is the ability to understand and share the feelings and experiences of users, informing user-centered solutions.

Experience mapping visualizes the entire experience of users with a product or service, identifying key touchpoints and pain points.

Environmental sustainability involves practices that protect and preserve the natural environment for future generations.

Ecosystem services are benefits provided by natural ecosystems, such as clean air, water, and pollination, that support human well-being.

An elevator pitch is a concise and persuasive summary of a business idea, product, or service, typically delivered in under a minute.

Empathy mapping is a technique used to understand the user's feelings, thoughts, and experiences to inform design decisions.

Experience design is the practice of designing products and services that provide meaningful and relevant experiences to users.

Emotional design focuses on creating products that evoke positive emotions and enhance user satisfaction.

Ethnographic research involves studying users in their natural environment to understand their behaviors and needs.

Efficiency in usability measures how effectively users can complete tasks using a product.

Error prevention involves designing products to minimize the occurrence of user errors.

Emotional branding focuses on creating a strong emotional connection between a brand and its customers.

Experimental design is the process of planning an experiment to test hypotheses and measure variables.

Ethical considerations in research involve ensuring the rights, dignity, and safety of participants are protected.

A feedback loop is a system where user actions trigger responses from the product, helping users understand the impact of their actions.

Field studies involve observing and interacting with users in their natural environment to gain insights into their behaviors and experiences.

Feature prioritization is the process of determining the most important features to develop based on factors like user needs and business goals.

Feature adoption rate is the percentage of users who utilize a new feature or functionality within a product.

Funnel analysis examines the steps users take in the conversion process to identify where they drop off and optimize the journey.

First contact resolution (FCR) measures the percentage of customer issues resolved on the first interaction, indicating service efficiency.

Feedback loops are systems where user feedback is used to make continuous improvements to a product or service.

Focus groups are moderated discussions with a group of users to gather insights and opinions about a product or concept.

Feature adoption measures the rate at which users start using a new feature within a product.

Funding strategies are plans for securing financial resources to support business growth and development.

Financial projections are estimates of future financial performance, including revenue, expenses, and profitability.

A framework is a structured plan or set of guidelines used to conduct research or design a study.

A go-to-market strategy is a plan for launching a product to the market, including target audience, marketing tactics, and sales strategies.

Green entrepreneurship refers to businesses that prioritize environmental sustainability and create eco-friendly products and services.

Graphic elements are the visual components used in design, such as lines, shapes, and textures.

Heuristic evaluation is a usability inspection method where experts review a product against established usability principles.

Heatmaps are visual representations of user interactions on a webpage, showing areas of high and low activity.

Hierarchy in design refers to the arrangement of elements to indicate their importance and guide the viewer's attention.

Human-centered design is an approach that places the needs, preferences, and limitations of users at the forefront of the design process.

Human factors are the physical, cognitive, and social aspects of how people interact with products and systems.

A hypothesis is a testable prediction about the relationship between variables.

High-fidelity design includes detailed and polished representations of a product, closely resembling the final version.

ICP (Ideal Customer Persona) is a detailed description of a company's most valuable customer, including demographics, behaviors, and pain points.,

Information architecture involves organizing and structuring content in a way that improves usability and findability in digital products.

Interaction design focuses on creating engaging interfaces with well-thought-out behaviors and actions that enhance user experience.

Iterative design is a process of continuously refining and improving a product through repeated cycles of prototyping, testing, and feedback.

Iconography is the use and design of icons to communicate information and enhance the visual appeal and usability of a product.

Ideation is the process of generating a wide range of ideas and solutions during the early stages of design.

Innovation is the process of creating new and valuable solutions, products, or services that address user needs.

An innovation framework is a structured approach to fostering and managing innovation within an organization.

Impact assessment evaluates the social, environmental, and economic effects of a project or initiative.

Infographics are visual representations of information or data designed to communicate complex concepts quickly and clearly.

Illustration is the creation of visual representations to explain, clarify, or decorate text or concepts.

Image editing involves altering or enhancing digital images using software tools.

Imagery involves the use of pictures or illustrations to enhance a design or convey a message.

Inclusive design focuses on creating products and services that are accessible and usable by as many people as possible.

Iterative prototyping involves creating and refining prototypes through repeated cycles of testing and feedback.

Innovation management involves overseeing and guiding the process of developing and implementing new ideas and products.

An interaction model is a framework that defines how users interact with a product or system.

Instrumentation refers to the tools and methods used to collect data in a research study.

An innovation pipeline is a structured process for managing and developing new ideas from conception to implementation.

Incremental innovation involves making small, continuous improvements to existing products or processes.

Innovation metrics are measures used to assess the effectiveness and impact of innovation efforts.

Idea management involves capturing, evaluating, and prioritizing ideas to drive innovation and improvement.

Journey mapping is the process of visualizing the steps users take to achieve a goal, identifying pain points and opportunities for improvement.

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are measurable metrics used to evaluate the success of a product or company in achieving its objectives.

A key performance indicator (KPI) is a measurable value that reflects how effectively a company or product is achieving key business objectives.

Key metrics are essential data points used to evaluate the performance and success of a project, product, or business.

Knowledge management is the process of capturing, distributing, and effectively using organizational knowledge.

A landing page is a standalone webpage designed for a specific campaign or marketing goal, focusing on a single call-to-action.