Storyboards are like mini comic strips that map out the steps a user takes while interacting with a product or service. They let you visualise the entire journey- not just the “what happens next?,” but also the emotions and context behind each step. Creating a storyboard makes you realise where users might feel frustrated or stuck, which results in finding ways to improve the design. It’s a great way to step back and see the bigger picture of the experience of your users.
I read this interesting Blog post by Big Motive on the use of storyboards and how useful they are to service design. It was a great insight to how they use storyboards for projects. This blog post has broadened my understanding of storyboards which is beneficial and i hope to implement these practices in my future projects.
Storytelling: an Essential Tool when Designing Services - Big Motive
Sitemaps, on the other hand, are all about structure. A sitemap is like a skeleton of a website or app, showing how everything connects. It helps ensure the flow makes sense and users can find what they need without getting lost. It’s also a great way to spot areas that felt too cluttered or underdeveloped. At first, they felt a bit intimidating to look at as there’s so many boxes and arrows but it’s a really beneficial tool in UX and not as overwhelming as it looks.
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Storyboards help focus on the users perspective, while sitemaps keep everything organised and clear. Together, they make tackling even the most complex designs feel much more manageable. I know they’ll be key tools for me as I keep learning and growing as a designer.
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