Usability
On the topic of Usability - This website has a good range of rules and guidance for developing a usable web site.
Perhaps I am missing something but, with my own background in product design, I can't see anything new here (anything that isn't common sense when designing any product). Essentially this website and other reading I did (more examples to follow) outline a product development cycle as follows:
* Figure out what the market/client wants/needs
* Develop conceptual designs (for the web as for products these deal with both appearance & function - think graphical/architectural)
* Mockup/prototype - and get user/client feedback
* Production/Implementation
* Maintenance and feedback (feedback in the case of a website can result in changes being made - for other products it will influence future product development).
Seem logical really. However, this refers to usability for an 'average' user and doesn't extend to the needs of specific groups of users. E.g Visually impaired.
posted by Ric @ 12:56 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Of course, how could we discuss 'usability' and leave out the big, bad guru who coined the term (well sort of) Jakob Neilsen. He does add one more aspect to the concept which is that of 'user-centred' design. This is important in an industry that can so easily become technology driven.
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Here is something fascinating!! Eye-Tracking!! LINK
This company have taken user testing to new heights by attaching eye movement tracking devices to users and then setting them specific tasks to carry out using client's websites.
Lots of relevant information. If this company can deliver what they promise this really does look like a very effective way to evaluate web design. (Obviously they don't give away any secrets on the website!)
Using technology like this would enable evaluation of the most effective web-page features. Do pop-ups really work? Do FLASH animations grab user's attention?
Also on this site are some useful tools/toys that simulate specific visual disorders - food for thought when designing a webpage colour scheme.
Question. I wonder how much they charge per session?
Hi Ric
You have some interesting ideas here and I think that you are right about usability being "common sense" once you "get it" but the trick is to understand it first.
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