ib dt topic 7 - usd

define user-centered design

a process where the designer considers the needs, wants and limitations of the end user

define the key terms:

• user

• task

• environment

• user - the person utilising

• the product

• task - the thing the product is supposed to do

• environment - the place where the product is likely to be used

what are the 6 principles of the UCD process?

1. A design is based upon an explicit understanding of users, tasks and environments

2. Users are involved throughout design and development

3. Design is driven and refined by UCD

4. the process is iterative

5. Design addresses the whole user experience

6. Design teams are multidisciplinary

what aspects of ucd are important to consider when focusing on the user?

• product testing - how users are likely to use the product

• empathetic design - as empathy with potential users gives a better understanding of their needs

• design functionality - but too much can diminish the level of usability

what aspects of ucd are important to consider when focusing on the task?

• consider common tasks while paying attention to the primary tasks

• interfaces should be standardised

• important functions are easily recognisable

what aspects of ucd should be considered when focusing on the environment?

• considers the use of the product in a particular environment

• environments will vary and user experiences within them will differ

define iterative design.

the cycle of continuously repeating a process with the aim of approaching a desired goal

what are the 4 stages of ucd?

1. concept - initial ideas, cheap, quick

2. design - development of ideas, prototypes, continued evaluation

3. implementation - testing + evaluation w/users, multi-disciplinary teams

4. launch - same as implementation

multi-disciplinary teams

individuals from different fields of expertise used in the design and production of a ucd product to help and advise creative designers

what is inclusive design and what does it do?

the design of mainstream products or services in an accessible and usable manner

• ensures that as many people as possible can use the product or service - without the need for adaptation or special design features

what is user experience?

a persons’ perceptions and responses that result from the use or anticipated use of a product

define usability.

the extent to which a product is easy, efficient, and satisfying for users to achieve their goals

what are the 4 usability objectives?

1. ease of use

2. efficiency of use

3. unambiguous feedback

4. clarity of human interface

enhanced usability.

the improvement of a product’s ease of use, efficiency and user satisfaction through user-centered design

what can enhanced usability deliver?

• improved product acceptance

• greater user experience

• increased productivity

• reduced user error

define graphical user interface (gui)

a form of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices through graphical icons - like the home page on youtube

what do good user-product interfaces consider?

• simplicity

• ease of use

• low memory burden

• visibility

explain why should designers consider population stereotypes?

since different populations have different, beliefs, expectations and understanding designers must consider their own assumptions and how these might impact the usability of a design

explain why should designers consider anthropometric stereotypes

because as various population groups differ in height, weight etc, designers should consider how accurately the data represents the target group

what are the 3 strategies for user research?

1. identify the user population

2. classify the user group

3. implication for design

define personae

a fictional but realistic description of the ‘typical’ user or stakeholder in a design context

state and define the 3 types of personae

• primary - the personae that represents the primary target users

• secondary - not the primary users but users whose needs must be met in some form

• anti-personae - represent users whom the product is not being designed for

what are 3 criticisms for personae?

• personae are fictional characters therefore not an accurate research method

• poorly constructed personae can be based on stereotypes and assumption

• personae must be carefully constructed to hold any real value

define and explain ‘scenario’

a sequence of events based in assumption by researcher and designer that describes how a user interacts with a product in a specific context to achieve a goal

use case

a detailed description of how a user interacts with a product, system, or service to achieve a specific goal

where does field research take place?

in the environment where the user would interact with the product

usability objective - ease of use

users should be able to complete tasks quickly and easily without needing instructions once they’ve learned the product

usability objective - efficiency of use

all functions should be easily accessible, requiring minimal input and effort from the user

usability objective - unambiguous feedback

the product should give clear, immediate responses to user actions, including prompts or guidance when errors occur

usability objective - clarity of user interface

the product’s interface should be visually clear, intuitive, and enjoyable to interact with