B1.1 User Centered Design

Unit 1: Usability

What is the guiding question for B1.1 User-Centred Design?

How does understanding user needs directly impact the design of products and services?

What is user-centred design (UCD)?

An approach that places the user’s needs and abilities at the centre of the design process, involving direct contact with users to empathise and understand their thoughts, needs, values, and beliefs.

How does UCD differ from other product design philosophies?

It optimises the product around how users want, need, or can use it, rather than forcing users to adapt to the product.

What three aspects does UCD consider in context of use?

User, task, and environment.

What does “user” refer to in UCD?

The person using the product.

What does “task” refer to in UCD?

The intended function or outcome of the design.

What does “environment” refer to in UCD?

The location or context in which the product is intended to be used.

What is an iterative process in UCD?

Repeating a process (iteration) to approach a desired result, continually testing prototypes with users to ensure designs meet user needs.

What does it mean that UCD is inclusive?

Designing products to be universally accessible, including for people with physical, sensory, perceptual, or other impairments.

What are the five usability objectives?

Learnability, efficiency, memorability, errors, satisfaction.

What is learnability?

How easily a user can learn to operate a product or system to a competent level.

What is efficiency?

How quickly and accurately users can complete tasks with the product.

What is memorability?

How easily users remember how to use a product after a period of not using it.

What is errors (usability)?

Focuses on mistakes users make, their frequency, and severity.

What is satisfaction (usability)?

How pleasant a product is to use and whether it meets user needs and expectations.

What are the benefits of enhanced usability?

• Increased product acceptance - Improved user experience - Higher productivity

What are the effects of enhanced usability on errors and support?

Reduces user errors and decreases the need for training and support.

What is a task analysis?

A strategy to develop empathy and understand how users perform tasks, breaking processes into steps to identify design improvements.

What are user-centred research methods used for?

To understand user needs, behaviours, and demographics through methods like field research, observation, interviews, questionnaires, and focus groups.

How is data from user-centred research used?

To create primary personas representing user populations to guide design development.

What is usability?

How effectively, efficiently, and consistently a product enables users to achieve goals.

What are the main principles of UCD?

• Understanding users, tasks, and environment - Involving users in design and evaluation - Iterative development - Addressing the whole user experience - Multidisciplinary teams - Inclusivity

How does enhanced usability affect user experience and product acceptance?

Makes the product easier and more pleasant to use, reduces frustration, and encourages brand loyalty.