Карточная сортировка, как сделать быстро и наглядно

Introduction

Card sorting is an effective method for organizing information and creating a user-friendly menu for applications and websites. This tutorial will guide you through the process of conducting a card sorting exercise, highlighting its purpose, methods, and the advantages and disadvantages of the technique.

Step 1: Understand the Purpose of Card Sorting

• Card sorting helps in structuring content and navigation based on user preferences.
• It provides insight into how users categorize information, revealing their mental models.
• This method is particularly useful for product teams working on complex platforms such as marketplaces, websites, or mobile applications.

Step 2: Choose the Right Card Sorting Method

There are two main types of card sorting:

1. Open Card Sorting

   • Participants create their own categories.
   • Useful for discovering how users group information naturally.

2. Closed Card Sorting

   • Participants sort cards into predefined categories.
   • Helps validate existing structure or categories.

Step 3: Prepare Your Cards

• Create cards representing different items or pieces of content that need organization.
• Each card should contain a clear label or description of the item.
• Ensure you have a sufficient number of cards to provide meaningful insights (typically 15-30 cards).

Step 4: Select Participants

• Choose a diverse group of participants that resemble your target users.
• Aim for a minimum of 5-10 participants to gather varied perspectives.
• Consider remote participants to broaden your reach and convenience.

Step 5: Conduct the Card Sorting Session

• Set up a comfortable environment, whether in-person or using an online tool.
• Explain the purpose and procedure clearly to participants.
• Allow them to sort the cards without leading their decisions.

Step 6: Analyze the Results

• Use software tools or spreadsheets to gather and analyze sorting data.
• Look for common patterns and groupings among participants.
• Identify any discrepancies and similarities in how groups categorize items.

Step 7: Implement Findings into Design

• Use the insights gained from the card sorting to inform your menu or site structure.
• Adjust categories and navigation based on user preferences to enhance usability.
• Test the newly organized structure with users to validate improvements.

Conclusion

Card sorting is a valuable method for enhancing user experience through organized navigation and content structure. By following these steps, you can effectively implement card sorting in your projects, ensuring that your design aligns with user expectations. For further exploration, consider testing the insights gained in real-world applications and continuously iterate based on user feedback.