User-centered design
We'll be focused on attempting to get user feedback throughout the process.
| Stage | Methods |
|---|---|
| Needs | User profiles, needs, scenarios, task analysis, environment, technology, work practices, business goals, competition, personas |
| Design | Conceptual model, proposed scenarios, interaction process, interface, prototype, product |
| Build | Paper prototype, prototype, interface, alpha/beta, product |
| Evaluate | Focus groups, usability tests, user surveys, experiments, heuristic evaluations, user observations |
Users and Stakeholders
We'll also need to differentiate between target users and relevant stakeholders.
- Users: the individuals who will be interacting with your product
- Stakeholders: people or organizations who will be affected by the system and who have a direct or indirect influence on system requirements
| Characteristic | Trait |
|---|---|
| Physical | age, gender, size, reach, weight |
| Environmental | sound levels, table height, software |
| Perceptual abilities | hearing, vision, heat sensitivity |
| Cognitive abilities | memory span, reading level, tech skills |
| Personality/social traits | likes, preferences, patience |
| Cultural traits | language, symbols, dialog box flow |
| Psychological traits | attitude & motivation, style |
| Job/role characteristics | mandatory vs discretionary use, level of training, turnover rate, task importance |
Maslow's hierarchy of needs
Understand what kind of need you are fulfilling for your users. Further, make sure your design does not threaten a lower-level need while solving a higher level one.
Too long; didn't read
Define what makes a user and how to quantify their needs and wants.
Creation of work
- Identify the target audience/user group
- Outline problem space, not suspected problems
Sample
Canadians in the province of Ontario are going to be the target audience.
Knowledge Check
Providing an aesthetic solution is more important than a safe one
True
False
Score: 0