UCD

UCD

A design process that prioritises users’ needs, wants, and limitations by involving them in all stages of the design process

List the five stages of UCD

Research, Concept, Design, Implementation, Launch

Target user

A specific group of users for whom a product, system, or environment is designed

User population

The full range of users who may interact with a product or system

User requirements

The essential needs that a product must satisfy in relation to the user

Field research

First-hand observation of users in their natural environment

Research question

A focused question that guides user-centred research

Task analysis

Observing and breaking down how users perform a task to identify areas for improvement

User observation

Watching users interact with a product or complete a task to identify pain points

Secondary research

Research conducted by someone other than the designer

Primary persona

A detailed profile representing the main user group experiencing a key problem

Secondary persona

A non-primary user whose needs must still be considered

Anti-persona

A user group the product is not designed for

Scenario

A narrative description of how a persona interacts with a product in daily life

Population stereotype

Common responses or characteristics shared by a user population

One benefit of using stereotypes in design

They can make products intuitive and reduce the learning curve

One risk of using stereotypes

They can reinforce bias and exclude users

Demographics

Statistical data such as age, gender, location, income, and education level

Why must designers be careful with demographics?

Overgeneralisation can lead to exclusionary design

4 user-centred research methods

Interviews, surveys, task analysis, field research

Why are interviews valuable in UCD?

They provide deep qualitative insights into user experiences

What type of data do surveys mainly collect?

Quantitative data from a large user group

What is the purpose of focus groups?

To generate ideas and collective insights through group discussion

Why is task analysis effective for empathy?

It reveals real user struggles and inefficiencies during tasks

Usability objectives

Criteria used to assess how easy and satisfying a product is to use

5 usability objectives

Learnability, Efficiency, Satisfaction, Memorability, Errors

Learnability

Measures how easily users can learn to use a product

Efficiency

Measures how quickly users can perform tasks once learned

Why are errors an important usability objective?

They reveal safety, clarity, and recovery issues

Inclusive design

Designing products that meet the needs of the widest possible audience

Why is it impossible to design for an “average user”?

Users vary in age, ability, culture, and context

One limitation of inclusive design

It may be impractical or involve conflicting needs

What does “beyond usability” mean in HL design?

Designing for emotional, social, and value-based experiences, not just function

Name the four pleasures

Physio-pleasure, Socio-pleasure, Psycho-pleasure, Ideo-pleasure

Physio-pleasure

Pleasure from sensory experiences such as touch, sound, sight, smell, or taste

Socio-pleasure

Pleasure derived from social interaction, belonging, and shared experiences

Psycho-pleasure

Pleasure from understanding, learning, and cognitive satisfaction

Ideo-pleasure

Pleasure linked to personal values, beliefs, and identity

What does ACT stand

Attract, Converse, Transact

Attract

Focuses on aesthetics and desirability

Converse

Focuses on interaction and usability

Transact focus

Focuses on function and usefulness