How card sorting can improve your service and product design
Card Sorting is a method used in service and product design to understand how users organize and categorize information. The method involves creating a set of cards, each representing a piece of information or content, and asking users to sort the cards into categories that make sense to them. Card Sorting can be used to inform the design of information architecture, navigation, and content organization in a wide range of products and services.
In service design, Card Sorting can be used to understand how users perceive and organize information related to a service. For example, a financial services provider may use Card Sorting to understand how customers categorize different types of financial products or services. By analyzing the results of the Card Sorting exercise, the provider can identify patterns in how customers organize and categorize financial products, and use this information to improve the structure and organization of their service offerings.
In product design, Card Sorting can be used to inform the design of navigation and content organization in digital products such as websites and mobile apps. By understanding how users categorize and group different types of content, designers can create intuitive and user-friendly navigation structures that make it easy for users to find what they are looking for.
The Card Sorting method typically involves several steps. First, the design team will identify the information or content that they want to test. Then, they will create a set of cards, each representing a piece of information or content. Next, they will ask users to sort the cards into categories that make sense to them, and to label each category. Finally, the design team will analyze the results of the Card Sorting exercise to identify patterns and insights that can inform the design of the product or service.
Card Sorting is a powerful tool for service and product design that enables designers to understand how users organize and categorize information. By gaining insights into how users perceive and group different types of content, designers can create intuitive and user-friendly navigation structures that improve the user experience and make it easier for users to find what they are looking for.
Here are some examples and links to tools that can help you apply the Card Sorting method in your service and product design:
OptimalSort: a digital card sorting tool that allows you to create, administer and analyze card sorting exercises. It also provides you with various templates and designs for customization:
https://www.optimalworkshop.com/optimalsort
UserZoom: a user research platform that includes a feature for conducting online Card Sorting exercises with real users. It also allows you to analyze the results and identify patterns in the data:
https://www.userzoom.com/card-sorting/
Canva: a graphic design tool that can be used to create physical cards for Card Sorting exercises. The tool includes a wide range of design templates and graphics that can be used to create cards for different types of content:
https://www.canva.com/templates/search/card-sorting/
Usability.gov: a website that provides resources and guidelines for conducting user-centered design and user research. The site includes a section on Card Sorting, with information on how to plan and conduct a Card Sorting exercise, as well as tips for analyzing the results:
https://www.usability.gov/how-to-and-tools/methods/card-sorting.html
Figma: is another design tool that can be used for Card Sorting exercises:
https://www.figma.com/
Figma is my actual favorite tool for Card Sorting work. Here's how you can use Figma for Card Sorting:
Create a new file in Figma, and create a frame for each card that represents a piece of information or content.
Organize the frames on the canvas in a way that makes sense to you and the design team.
Share the file with users, and ask them to sort the frames into categories that make sense to them. You can ask users to label each category as they sort the cards.
Once users have completed the Card Sorting exercise, you can use Figma's commenting and collaboration features to analyze the results and identify patterns in the data.
Figma's collaborative features make it easy to share Card Sorting exercises with other designers and stakeholders, and to work together to analyze the results and incorporate insights into your design. Additionally, Figma's design and prototyping features can be used to test and iterate on the design based on the results of the Card Sorting exercise.
Figma is a versatile and powerful design tool that can be used for a wide range of design tasks, including Card Sorting exercises. Whether you're designing a service or a product, Figma can help you create intuitive and user-friendly navigation structures that improve the user experience and make it easier for users to find what they are looking for.
These are just a few examples of the many resources and tools that are available to help designers apply the Card Sorting method. As with any design tool or method, it's important to choose the ones that work best for your specific needs and context.
Good luck!
Monika
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