Why is UCD important?
Listen carefully to the blood-boiling frustrations of people who have to work with poorly designed products and services all day. Listen to the astounded surprise of business people who see hugely increased sales of and performance from, correctly designed products and services.
That's why UCD is important.
More specifically, it's important because it's:
- Cost effective - UCD will decrease expenditure on re-design efforts post-launch and technical support & training; increase brand equity; and ultimately increase market share
- Aesthetic - UCD will increase aesthetic pleasure of objects and systems that we all use in our daily lives. And good aesthetics are worth taking care over!
- Ethical - we have a moral humane duty not to create ugliness and pain in our lives. That includes our working lives
- Sensible - as it allows you to gauge if the product meets user needs before you build it
Good UCD books |
Norman, D.A. (2002) Emotional design: Why we love (or hate) everyday things. Basic Books Inc.
Garrett, J.J. (2002) The Elements of User Experience. New Riders.
Rubin, J. (1884) Handbook of Usability Testing: How to Plan, Design, and Conduct Effective Tests. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. |
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