Usability and User Experience
A High-Level Introduction
What is Usability?
The extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction in a specified context of use.
- Ease of use
- Can users accomplish tasks easily?
- Learnability
- Can users pick up the software quickly?
- Efficiency
- Can users complete tasks quickly with minimal effort?
- Memorability
- How easily can users re-establish proficiency after periods of inactivity?
- Errors
- How does the software deal with (user) errors?
- How easily can they recover from errors?
- Satisfaction
- Are users happy with the software?
What is User Experience (UX)?
A person's perceptions and responses that result from the use and/or anticipated use of a product, system or service.
UX considers the entire user journey, not just usability.
- Includes user emotions, motivations, and overall satisfaction
- A good UX makes users feel confident, in control, and accomplished
Why is UI / UX important for Developers?
- Developers play a key role in shaping the UI / UX
- Code decisions can directly impact how users interact with the software
- Understanding UI / UX principles helps developers make informed decisions
- Focusing on UI / UX helps build software users will love
Designing for Users: Empathy is Key
- Put yourselves in the user's shoes
- What are their goals and needs?
- What challenges might they face?
- Consider user personas to understand different user types
Usability Testing
- Observe real users interacting with your software
- Identify areas of confusion or difficulty
- Usability testing helps iterate and improve the design
- Early testing saves time and resources in the long run
Wireframes
Visual guide that represents the skeletal framework of a web page or application window
- Help visualize and communicate the design
- Allow testing the UI in early stages
Lo fidelity vs. high fidelity wireframes
Wireframes, UI Mockups, Prototypes
Accessibility
W3C's Web Accessibility Initiative WAI
Published the Accessible Rich Internet Applications Suite (ARIA)
Consult WAI-ARIA Overview for more information
Consistency
Consistent UI patterns are most important
Don't re-invent the wheel, use an existing set of guidelines