Which phase of design involves testing and improving features based on user feedback?

The validation phase is a crucial part of the design process that focuses on testing and refining the product or features based on real user feedback. During this phase, designers gather insights from users through various testing methods, such as usability testing, surveys, and interviews. The purpose is to assess whether the design meets user needs, addresses pain points, and functions as intended.

Feedback collected during the validation phase helps inform necessary adjustments to improve the overall user experience. This might include tweaking the interface, modifying features, or even revisiting earlier design decisions to align better with user expectations. By iterating based on this feedback, designers can ensure that the final product is not only functional but also engaging and user-friendly, ultimately leading to better satisfaction and usability for the end users.

In contrast, the other phases, such as prototype, implementation, and design phases, deal with different aspects of the design process, like creating initial models, developing the product, and conceptualizing ideas. They do not specifically focus on the cycle of testing and refining that defines the validation phase.