The UX Cookbook

What Is The UX Cookbook?

The UX Cookbook is a free educational resourcethat provides step-by-step recipes for UX methods and practices. Designed as an online collection of guides, The UX Cookbook offers practical instructions for user research, design processes, usability testing, and related activities, fitting into the early stages of design workflows where teams plan and execute user-centered approaches. Created by the UX team at the University of Arizona Libraries, it serves as a community-driven hub for applying UX techniques in projects.

What The UX Cookbook Does

• Delivers detailed recipes for UX methods such as card sorting, empathy mapping, journey mapping, and usability testing.
• Structures guides with sections on preparation time, required ingredients, and step-by-step directions for each method.
• Covers user research techniques including user interviews, surveys, diary studies, and tree testing.
• Includes content strategy tools like content inventories, style guides, and web content planning.
• Provides resources for prototyping and visual design, such as wireframing and competitive analysis.
• Supports testing and analytics through recipes for A/B testing, impression testing, and web analytics.

How The UX Cookbook Can Be Used

• UX designers reference recipes during research planning to identify questions and select appropriate methods like surveys or user interviews for gathering user insights.
• Teams apply card sorting or tree testing workflows to evaluate and refine information architecture in website or app projects.
• Product managers use journey mapping and personas to visualize user experiences and align on audience needs before prototyping.
• Beginners follow diary studies or recruiting guides to conduct longitudinal research or find participants for studies.
• Developers and researchers employ usability testing recipes to observe interactions and identify issues in prototypes or live products.

Who Is The UX Cookbook For?

The UX Cookbook targets beginners in UX design seeking structured entry points into methods like empathy mapping and wireframing, as well as experienced UX professionals, researchers, and product teams looking to streamline user-centered workflows. It suits roles in libraries, digital product development, and educational settings where practical, recipe-style guides aid in research, testing, and content planning. UX students and community contributors also benefit from its open, expandable format.Visit The UX Cookbook