... in Design
We implement Design Solutions
At a very granular-product level, UX focuses on "dirt under the fingernails" usability solutions.:
- Do we use a dropdown or display a series of optionbuttons?
- Is it a list of steps or wizard?.
- How do we deal with multiple presentation platforms?
The dumbest mistake is viewing design as something you do at the end of the process to 'tidy up' the mess, as opposed to understanding it's a 'day one' issue and part of everything.
Design Standards
Many of these techniques are already accepted "knowns & norms". They don't necessarily need to be re-discovered or rigorously tested.
They're used in assessing a Site Evaluation and identifying the Content Inventory.
They exist as standards and usage patterns, like the CSS Styleguide and Best Practices.
They're implemented in the Sitemap, in Wireframes, and in a Demo Site.
By the same token, we're still working out some of the UX logistics of designing for a Mobile platform. Technology is a moving target.
UX Design is an ongoing iterative process