1.2: User Centered Design

Question 1

User-centred design principles

Answer 1

1. Early focus on users and tasks
   - structured and systematic information gathering
   - approach users early and often
   - define tasks and personas
2. empirical measurement and testing of product usage
   - focus on ease of learning
   - testing of prototypes with actual users
3. iterative design
   - product designed, modified, tested repeatedly
   - early testing of conceptual models and design ideas
   - allow for complete overhaul and rethinking of design by early testing

Question 2

UCD lifecycle

Answer 2

1. concept
   - usability goals
   - user profiles, personas
   - interviews
   - field studies
   - task analysis
2. design
   - Low fi prototype
   - heuristic evaluation
   - focus group
   - interviews
3. develop
   - preparation
   - planning
   - execution
   - usability testing
4. release
   - formal usability testing
   - feedback

Question 3

Why is it important to include users during the design process?

Answer 3

It is important to include users at all stages of the development life cycle to gain their feedback, needs, insight, ideas, to further develop the product into something they want.

Question 4

What is a persona and why is it useful

Answer 4

A hypothesized user representation of the goals, needs, and behaviours of a larger group of users. They help us identify what kind of user or who we are designing the product for.