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Mental Models

Mental Models Spot Image

Aligning Design Strategy with Human Behavior

By Indi Young

Published: February 2008
Paperback: 299 pages
Paperback ISBN: 978-193382000604
Ebook ISBN: 978-1933820-19-4

There is no single methodology for creating the perfect product—but you can increase your odds. One of the best ways is to understand users’ reasons for doing things.  Mental Models gives you the tools to help you grasp, and design for, those reasons.  Adaptive Path co-founder Indi Young has written a roll-up-your-sleeves book for designers, managers, and anyone else interested in making design strategic, and successful.

There is no single methodology for creating the perfect product—but you can increase your odds. One of the best ways is to understand users’ reasons for doing things.  Mental Models gives you the tools to help you grasp, and design for, those reasons.  Adaptive Path co-founder Indi Young has written a roll-up-your-sleeves book for designers, managers, and anyone else interested in making design strategic, and successful.

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1: What and Why? The Advantages of a Mental Model
Chapter 2: When? Using Mental Models with Your Other Work
Chapter 3: Who? Mental Model Team Participants
Chapter 4: Define Task-Based Audience Segments
Chapter 5: Specify Recruiting Details
Chapter 6: Set Scope for the Interviews
Chapter 7: Interview Participants
Chapter 8: Analyze the Transcripts
Chapter 9: Look for Patterns
Chapter 10: Create the Mental Model
Chapter 11: Adjust the Audience Segments
Chapter 12: Alignment and Gap Analysis
Chapter 13: Structure Derivation

FAQ

These common questions about web accessibility and their short answers are taken from Indi Young’s book Mental Models: Aligning Design Strategy with Human Behavior. You can find longer answers to each in your copy of the book, either printed or digital version.

  1. What is a mental model?
    The top part of the model is a visual depiction of the behavior of a particular audience, faithfully representing root motivations. The bottom part of the model shows various ways of supporting matching behaviors. Where support and behavior are aligned, you have a solution. Where a behavior is not supported, you have an opportunity to explore further.
    See page 2 for more information.

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