|
 |
|
The answers to these 10 questions are based on our own knowledge and opinions, and other experts within these fields. See the links at the bottom of the page to read more from other experts.
|
| How do you define Usability? |
| The quality of a product that makes it usable, but not necessarily useful or desirable. |
|
| How do you define Useful? |
A service or product is useful if it includes desired and meaningful features and functions. However, if such a product is hard to use, it could be unusable.
|
|
| How do you define User Experience? |
| The totality of an end-user's experience with a product including its usability, usefulness, aesthetic appeal, functionality, desirability etc. |
|
| How do you define User Centred Design? |
A philosophical approach to design that relies on the inclusion of end-users throughout the design process. It starts with a form of design research to map the landscape of user
behaviours, situations, interests, needs, cultural framework etc. The research is then used to define problems and solutions, or just to come up with innovations based on what has been studied. In the forthcoming production process, the user is involved in different kinds of testing. |
|
| What is Information Architecture? |
| Information Architecture is a subset of User Experience, just like Usability. Information Architecture deals with, among other things, Navigation, Organisation and the Hierarchy of pages (page-based products) and elements. |
|
| What is Interaction Design? |
| Interaction design deals with story telling, the behaviour and communication of a product or service and the actions a user will take when interacting with it. |
|
| What is a User Mode? |
A User Mode is based on the actions an individual (User Profile) is planning to take at a
certain point when interacting with a product. At Ocean we elaborate with modes in order
to determine how a product should work, what it should offer and in what way.
Customer Insight and Design Research helps us develop realistic modes. |
|
| What is Heuristic Evaluation? |
An expert review where a number of usability professionals take on the roles as novice
and/or high-end users and examine an interface using a number of heuristics. The word "Heuristic" means "learning or problem solving by experimental and trial-and-error methods." |
|
| Doesn't including users in a design process stop you from being truly creative? |
| That is completely wrong. User Centred Design drives innovation and creativity. Only the end-user can be a true expert when it comes to the usage and desired usage of a product. Thus, capturing the ideas of such a person is nothing else but brilliant. |
|
| What is Design? |
"So how can design be understood in a meaningful, holistic sense? Beyond all the confusion created by the froth and bubble of advertising and publicity, beyond the visual pyrotechnics
of virtuoso designers seeking stardom, beyond the pronouncements of design gurus and the snake-oil salesmen of lifestyles, lies a simple truth. Design is one of the basic characteristics
of what it is to be human, and an essential determinant of the quality of human life. It
affects everyone in every detail of every aspect of what they do throughout each day. As such, it matters profoundly."
John Heskett, "Toothpicks and Logos" |
|
| Related links |
| Elegant Hack |
| Boxes and Arrows |
| The Living Space of Bogieland |
| Peterme.com |
| Webword.com |
| Usable Web |
| Usability Professionals Association |
| Jesse James Garret.net |
| TaskZ.com |
| Usor |
|
