What's your general approach?

Do unto others as you would have done unto you.

Aside from that:

  • Sit down and determine the project requirements with the client or team.
  • Listen.
  • Write things down and make outlines.
  • Check out the competition
  • Start sketching.
  • Create workflows, personas, user task lists, etc. UX Design.
  • Wireframe in black and white
  • Prototype
  • Iterate
  • Engage in usability testing. (this should be done at all stages if possible)
  • Move into production
  • Collaborate. Compromise. Focus. Try to have fun.
  • Test.
  • Change.
  • Analyze and track.
  • Change again.
  • Rinse and repeat.