6.5.2: How to Check out the Competition

Question 1

What is Direct vs Indirect Competitors?

Question 2

Link to Nielsen Norman Group (NNG)

Answer 2

https://www.nngroup.com/articles/copying-a-famous-sites-design/

“Imitation can sometimes fail simply because the design in question isn’t that good to begin with”

Specific UI may not work the same in a different context

Question 3

Apple doing a patent battle on IPAD design. Dmitry Fadeyev criticizes it as a bit presumptious

Answer 3

https: //www.theverge.com/2011/12/2/2596527/apple-samsung-design-patent-iphone-ipad-work-around
http: //usabilitypost.com/2011/12/10/competing-with-an-archetype/

Question 4

Author’s experience with Qyik and how the client’s preferred design of an indirect competitor might not resonate well with Qyik’s potential user base. What does “Product design is Product-Specific” mean? Why is it important to balance competitive analysis with what you know about your potential audience?

Question 5

Why is the hamburger menu infamous?

Question 6

What should you consider when you come across a design element that might be worth implementing

Question 7

More Competitive analysis matrix. What questions should you ask when evaluating key usability heuristics on competing products

Answer 7

https://www.safaribooksonline.com/library/view/ux-strategy/9781449372972/ch04.html

Question 8

What is the author’s 4 steps on getting started on a Smart Competitive Analysis? Explain each

Question 9

Sarah Doody, Designer

Answer 9

http://blog.invisionapp.com/imitation-to-innovation/

“after performing some thought exercises with a client who was obsessed with a competitor’s design, that ‘getting that -why- enabled me to design some solutions around those goals instead of imitating the features and bad user experience of the inspiration site.”