UX Glossary

DAU, or Daily Active Users, refers to the number of unique users who engage with a product or service on a daily basis, providing insights into user engagement and retention.

A decision matrix, or prioritisation matrix, is a tool used to assess and rank design options based on specific criteria. It aids in making informed choices that align with user needs and available resources in UX and product development.

Delight in UX refers to unexpected moments that pleasantly surprise users, enhancing their overall experience. It is used to create emotional connections and foster user satisfaction beyond standard expectations in product design.

Demographics refer to the characteristics of a population, such as age, gender, income, and education. In UX, demographics are used to define user profiles and understand target audiences for research and design purposes.

Depth interviews, or "Depths," are one-on-one sessions between a researcher and a participant. They are used in UX and product work to gather in-depth insights about user behaviors, motivations, and experiences.

A Design Brief is a document that defines the objectives, target audience, constraints, and requirements for a design project. It is used in UX and product work to ensure alignment among stakeholders and guide the design process effectively.

Design Critique is a structured session in which team members provide constructive feedback on a design. It is used to evaluate design decisions, improve quality, and foster collaboration among designers and stakeholders.

Design debt, also known as UX debt, refers to the consequences of taking shortcuts in the design process, which can lead to issues in user experience. It often arises from skipping research, testing, or adhering to style guidelines.

Design Handoff is the process in which designers provide completed design assets and specifications to developers. It typically occurs at the end of the design phase to ensure accurate implementation of the intended user experience.

A design language is a cohesive set of guidelines and principles that dictate the visual and interactive elements of a product, ensuring consistency across various platforms and touchpoints.

A Design Matrix is a tool that organizes all possible combinations of selected design elements for testing. It is used in UX and product work to systematically evaluate and compare different design options.

Design Maturity refers to the level at which design thinking and practices are integrated into an organization. It helps assess how effectively design influences decision-making and product development processes within the company.

Design Ops is a set of practices and processes that streamline design workflows, enhance collaboration, and improve the overall efficiency of design teams.

Design patterns are reusable solutions to common usability problems in UX and UI design. They provide standardized approaches to enhance user experience, making it easier for users to navigate and interact with digital products.

Design Philosophy refers to the foundational principles and beliefs that guide the design process, influencing decisions and outcomes in UX design.

Design Principles are fundamental guidelines, such as contrast, balance, and hierarchy, that inform and shape the design process in UX and product work. They help create intuitive and effective user experiences by ensuring clarity and consistency.

Design Rationale explains the reasoning behind design choices in UX and product development. It is used to provide context, ensure consistency, and facilitate collaboration among team members and stakeholders throughout the design process.

A Design Roadmap is a strategic plan that outlines the vision, goals, and timeline for a design project, guiding the design process and aligning stakeholders.

Design Specification is a document that outlines the implementation details of UI components. It serves as a reference for designers and developers to ensure consistency and accuracy during the design and development process.

A design sprint is a time-constrained, five-day process used in UX and product design to quickly validate ideas by building and testing prototypes. It helps teams move efficiently from identifying problems to developing solutions.

Design Strategy refers to a systematic approach to planning design work that aligns with business goals, user needs, and market opportunities.

A design system is a comprehensive collection of design assets, guidelines, and best practices that ensures consistency and efficiency in UX and product design projects. It serves as a reference for teams during the design process.

Design thinking is a user-centered approach to problem-solving in UX and product design. It involves understanding users' needs, defining problems, generating ideas, creating prototypes, and testing solutions to improve user experiences.

Design tokens are standardized, reusable variables that store design-related values such as colors, typography, and spacing, facilitating consistency across digital products.