The Ubiquitous UX
Pleasant Charles
Table of contents
0. A newcomer's restless ramblings.
1. What is UX?: knowledge reuse (collecting already-defined content on UX).
2. UX application process: cases already in use at professional UX firms.
3. Utilization process (1/2): custom UX.
4. Utilization process (2/2): after UX.
User Experience
User experience is every experience from the moment an actual product or service is being built up to the moment it is delivered to the user. (UXFactory)
The total experience a user feels and thinks as they directly or indirectly use a system, product, or service.
Not just satisfaction with function or procedure, but a valuable experience a user can come to know through participation, use, observation, and mutual interaction across every perceivable aspect. (Wikipedia)
UI is the scenario (how to use) for using some function.
UX is the feeling (use-experience) after using all the functions of a product.
Source: http://lumirent.net/wp/?p=60
Related keywords
Aesthetics, learnability, usability, accessibility, reliability, pleasure, satisfaction, user-centric, RIA (Rich Internet Application), HCI (Human Computer Interactive), heuristic evaluation, user-experience sketch, Ethonography, Affinity Diagram, User Diary, Working Prototyping, Agile Process.
[Source] "UX Work Process for Juniors" | Author: Tony
Source: http://lumirent.net/wp/?p=60
What user experience is
"user expect" is the future form of what the user expects; "user experience" is the present form — the actual experience after using the UI; "user excuse" is the past form — the apology we, who provided the UI, offer to the customer.
In time order, you first design for the user's expectations, then provide a good UX to the user, then reflect the opinions of those who have used it and improve.
Source: http://lumirent.net/wp/?p=60
UX = Originality + Usability. To achieve this, you need Visual Identity + User Interface + Process.
Thinking about IA is thinking about the interface, and techniques like persona prototyping are development methodologies for successful projects.
In the end, User Experience > Usability > User Interface > Information Architecture.
— tennygood
[ Guide for user experience ]
Source: book ("Mobile UX Insight: Relationship Design")
1. User behavior patterns
Q. You are on channel 10 right now. How will you move to channel 30?
1) Press the down arrow. 2) Press the up arrow. 3) Type 30 using the number buttons.
A. Told to go from 10 to 30, people consciously answer that they will press 30 directly for the fastest move — but in real life, unconsciously, they keep pressing the up arrow. That is, because it isn't a natural behavior pattern, the survey responses differ from actual usage.
Three levels of usability
Instinctive UI: reflex usage patterns we are born with (sight, hearing, touch, emotion).
Habitual UI: usage patterns ingrained in the body through repeated use. ("I do it the way I always do," "I do it as marked," "it's easier when it's like something else.")
Rational UI: usage patterns judged based on presented information. ("You must decide," "you must focus," "if you don't know, you lose.")
"Instinctive" usage = delightful usability; "habitual" = good usability; "rational" judgment to use = inconvenient usability.
2. Contextual service design
Service providers and consumers both fail to consider context, so a vicious cycle continues — newest tech/services are developed and bought but not used. (You buy the latest multi-function TV, but once it's set up at home you barely use more than channel and volume.)
3. Error-proof design
A USB that can only be inserted one way. This is called poka yoke — a design that prevents mistakes by making things unusable unless the conditions are met, so you don't need to explain it to users.
4. UI consistency
When using an MP3 player and an MP3 function on a mobile phone, we want to use that function in a similar way. We want to change volume/channel on a TV and on a phone's DMB in a similar way. And we want the way to delete messages on a phone to resemble the way to delete call logs.
[ Google User Experience ]
Original: http://www.google.com/about/company/philosophy/ / Translation: http://naradesign.net/wp/2008/09/22/156/
Our aspirations
Google's UX team aims to create designs that are practical and fast, simple and attractive, innovative and universal, useful and beautiful, trustworthy, and dignified. Balancing these ten principles is an ever-present challenge. A product with the right balance is what we call "Googley," and it should satisfy and delight everyone in the world. These ten design principles are for the Googley user experience.
1. Useful: Focus on people — their lives, their work, their dreams.
Google's UX team works to discover people's real desires, including desires they cannot clearly articulate. With that information, Google can create products that draw out people's creativity and solve real-world problems. Rather than simply reducing a task, our goal is to raise the quality of life. Above all, well-designed Google products are useful in daily life. Without relying on cutting-edge technology or visual effects, and without forcing people to do what they don't want, they offer a natural path of growth to those who need it. They do not interfere with people's lives, but they open doors for users who want to explore the world's information, let them work faster and more creatively, and let them share their thoughts with friends and with the world.
2. Fast: Every millisecond counts.
Nothing is more important than a person's time. Google's pages open immediately thanks to lean code and carefully chosen image files. The most essential functions and words are placed in the most findable positions. Unnecessary clicks, typing, steps, and other activities are removed. Google products ask for information once and include simple defaults, so tasks go cleanly. Speed benefits the user. Not sacrificing speed without a sufficient reason is one of Google's strengths.
3. Simple: Simplicity is powerful.
Simplicity underlies many elements of great design, including usability, speed, visual appeal, and accessibility. Simplicity begins with a design centered on the product's core function, not with the creation of rich features. For us, the best design contains only the features people need to achieve their goals. Even when products must carry a very broad set of features and a complex visual design, they are made powerful yet simple. The Google team thinks twice before sacrificing simplicity to cram in an important feature. Our wish is to gradually reshape a product in a new direction, rather than simply adding more features.
4. Engaging: Engage beginners and attract experts.
Designing for many people does not mean designing for the lowest common denominator. The best Google designs appear very simple on the surface but contain powerful features that are easy to reach. Our intent is to lead beginners to a thrilling first experience while advanced users introduce the product to others. A well-designed Google product draws in new users, offers essential help, and gives them confidence to use the most valuable features intuitively and simply. Gradual refinement of skilled features helps people expand their use of the product. Google offers clever functions in the midst of today's complicated online life — saving anywhere, working on- and offline, sharing materials across various devices and computers.
5. Innovative: Dare to innovate.
Consistent design builds trust in Google products and lets users feel comfortable and efficient. But imagination is what turns a dull design into an attractive one. If it satisfies user needs, Google encourages innovative and adventurous design. Our teams encourage the emergence and execution of new ideas. Rather than matching the features of existing products, Google wants to change the very frame.
6. Universal: Design for the world.
The World Wide Web's resources are open to everyone on the planet. For example, many people do not sit in front of a PC but carry mobile devices around and use Google products. Our goal is to design meaningful products that can be accessed on any device or by any method and that respond to reality. Google supports slow connections, as-old-as-possible browsers, a variety of ways of understanding information, and various screen choices. The UX team studies how to design the right products for users, devices, and cultures around the world, and researches the fundamental differences in user experience. Simple variants or modest features are not enough to meet people's needs. Google is also committed to improving accessibility. Our passion for simplicity and our mission of universal access to information require that Google products support assistive technology and be useful and enjoyable for everyone, including people with physical and mental limits.
7. Profitable: Plan for today's and tomorrow's business.
Google products strive to be useful to users while also being economically sound. To reach this goal, designers must steadily integrate user goals with business considerations. Ads must be truly ad-like and useful. Google protects those who rely on Google for their livelihood and those who are interested in ads. Google does not try to increase a product's revenue if doing so will shrink Google's users in the future. If a revenue-friendly design fails to delight users, it must be started over. Not every product aims at revenue, but none is unrelated to the business either.
8. Beautiful: Delight the eye without distracting the mind.
The UX team is encouraged when people see a Google product and say, "Wow, that's beautiful!" A positive first impression makes users comfortable, earns trust, and gives them the confidence that they can make the product their own. Minimal decoration keeps most Google products clean. Uncluttered design loads fast and does not get in the way of users' goals. The visually appealing images, colors, and fonts are tuned to meet the needs of speed, legibility, and easy exploration. Depending on users and cultural backgrounds, "noble simplicity" may not suit every product, but the aesthetic design of Google products increases usability and delights users.
9. Trustworthy: Be worthy of people's trust.
Great design wins long-term trust from the people who use Google products. Google's trustworthiness is established from the basics. Interfaces are made to be effective and professional; actions are easy to undo; ads are clear; technology is consistent; and users are not unpleasantly surprised. What is more, Google products include links to competitors and contributors, opening themselves to the world. A bigger challenge is proving and convincing users that Google respects their rights and their data. Google does not share any information outside without clear user consent, and is honest about how it is used. Our products warn users about security risks, differences in security policy from other sites, the harm of spam, and the possibility of data theft. Google is honest about how users' information is shared, but wants to give them even more confidence. As Google has grown, our motto, "Don't be evil," has become ever more necessary to our survival.
10. Personable: Add a human touch.
Google contains a variety of personalities, and so does our design. Our text and design elements are friendly, fast, and witty, without being tiring or arrogant. Google's text gives people an intuitive and consistent experience. If someone asks a question, a neighbor will offer informal advice. Google does not let personality-rich design get in the way of important information, especially when it is close to someone's livelihood. Google does not know everything, and designs are not perfect. Our products want responses and act on them.
Following these design principles, Google's UX team will find the best possible trade-off for each product. Accordingly, innovation and improvement will continue.
