What is Open Card Sort?
Open Card Sort is a user research technique where participants organize content or features into categories that make sense to them. This method helps designers understand how users perceive and categorize information, informing the structure and organization of a website or application.
Key Steps in Open Card Sort:
- Create Cards: Each card represents a piece of content or feature, such as a webpage or app feature.
- Conduct Sorting: Participants sort the cards into groups based on their understanding and preferences. They may also label the categories they create.
- Analyze Results: Review the sorting patterns to identify common groupings and labels, guiding the organization of content or features.
For example, a website redesign project might use an open card sort to determine how users naturally group content such as “About Us,” “Services,” and “Blog,” helping to create a more intuitive navigation structure.