This week, I began creating a user journey map for my current UX project on sustainable move-outs. While I’ve worked with journey maps in the past and was familiar with their basic structure, I discovered there’s much more to this tool than I initially thought.

Exploring Different Types of Journey Maps

Previously, I had only encountered journey maps presented in a single, standardized style. This week, I learned about the variety of journey maps that exist, such as experience maps, service maps, and customer journey maps. While I’ve primarily worked with experience or user journey maps, it was interesting to see how versatile this tool can be. Journey maps don’t need to follow the same layout, format, or even communicate the same type of information. Each style can be tailored to fit specific project goals and contexts.

The Challenge of Customizing UX Research Tools

When working on UX projects, tools like journey maps, personas, and affinity diagrams are often templated for convenience. While it’s tempting to rely on ready-made frameworks, I’ve realized that these templates don’t always suit the unique needs of a project. Adapting and personalizing these tools to better align with my project’s goals and challenges is a more effective approach.

Refining My Skills for Tailored Design

Learning to move beyond templates and develop customized UX research tools is a skill I’m actively working on. It’s not always easy, but I see it as an essential part of growing as a designer. My goal is to master this ability so I can create tools that truly serve my project’s objectives while fostering a more user-centered approach.