Thursday, March 4, 2010
Usability is no longer enough - Seminar
Last Monday, the 1st of March, the first day of Spring, our group presented the topic "Interface Usability, the Designer and User" for the Principals of Interactive Media Seminar. The three of us, Aladdin, Sophie and myself, each decided on a section within this topic to discuss that directly related to our dissertation proposal. I spoke about "Usability is no longer enough" where I discussed this new idea of the power of Emotion and Empathy as ways of relating to the end user and designing more effective solutions. I spoke about the need for changing our way of approaching design, to break away from the norms of design and to thinking outside the box. It was for me one of the most interesting topics that I have ever researched or spoken. I feel quite strong about this topic as I feel from my experience in industry that there is a real need to understand the user in a more holistic view so as to design products or services that add "real" meaning to peoples lives. There are so many products and designs on the market that are designed from a marketing perspective without understanding the user, where companies main aim is to get the user to buy your product or sign up to your website. If interested in finding out more of what I have being discussing above please click here
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I couldn,t agree more, when computers are used outside of work and deal with their behaviors rather than tasks they want to complete with minimum effort you cant rely on usability. There are some performance art techniques that might be of benefit to you. you develop a character and live like that character so you almost begin to think like them. I'v done it myself and its surprising how much you learn. It would probably be a bit like shadowing but because your in character people are more natural and honest. You could join something like weight watcher or other thing to do with weightloss or maybe set up a group yourself. :)
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