Open Card Sorting
Open card sorting is a user research technique used to understand how people categorize and organize information. The researcher does not define any categories, instead the participant creates and label the categories. Participants are given a set of cards, each labelled with a piece of content or functionality, and asked to group them in a way that makes sense to them. They can also create their own categories or labels during the exercise, providing insights into how users naturally think about the information. This method is commonly used in information architecture and UX design to help structure navigation menus, websites, or applications in a way that aligns with user expectations.
The main benefit of open card sorting is that it provides a clear understanding of how users perceive and organize information, helping to create user-friendly structures. By gathering input directly from users, designers can identify patterns, logical groupings, and common terminology that make navigation intuitive. This approach minimizes guesswork and reduces the risk of creating structures that confuse or frustrate users. Additionally, open card sorting fosters user-centred design by involving the target audience early in the design process, ensuring that the final product meets their needs and expectations.
To make the most of open card sorting, recruit participants who represent your target audience to ensure the insights are relevant. Also, prepare a comprehensive but not overwhelming set of cards representing all key content or functionality. Don’t forget to provide clear instructions and allow participants to work at their own pace. Finally, analyze the results systematically, looking for patterns and common groupings across participants to inform your design decisions. Tools like spreadsheets or specialized card-sorting software can help in analyzing the data effectively.
As for what not to do, don’t bias participants with predefined categories or examples – open card sorting is meant to reveal users’ natural mental models. You also shouldn’t include too many cards, as this can overwhelm participants and lead to inconsistent results – aim for a manageable number that covers the essentials. Remember to not ignore outliers or unique groupings – while these may not represent the majority, they can provide valuable insights for edge cases. Lastly, don’t treat open card sorting as the final step – use it in conjunction with other research methods, such as usability testing, to validate your findings.
Open card sorting is a powerful tool for creating user-friendly information structures by uncovering how users think and organize content. When done correctly, it provides actionable insights that improve navigation and enhance the overall user experience. By involving users early and interpreting their input carefully, open card sorting ensures that designs are intuitive, efficient, and aligned with user expectations.
