What is User Experience?

What is User Experience?

1. what UXD isn't

   • its not just user interface, that is included
   • its not just a step in the process, it is the process.
     • UXD is an ongoing effort, continually learning about users, responding to behaviors, and evolving the product or service.
   • It isn't just about technology; all product design uses it.
   • It isn't just about usability.
     • There are emotional responses which are an aspect of behavioral aspects used in UXD.
   • It isn't just about the users.
     • Its also about the company's growth. They send value out to customers then value comes back as money or increased use. Its a loop. Business goals have to be met,
     • We have to find the sweet spot between the user's needs and the business goals, and ensure that the design is on brand.
       • On brand: the product has to be an accurate representation of the organization behind it.

2. What User Experience is

   • Formal definition of UXD: User experience simply refers to the way a product behaves and is used in the real world. A positive user experience is one in which the goals of both the user and the organization that created the product are met.
     • Usablility is one attribute of a successful user experience, but usability alone does not make an experience positive for the user.
   • UXD explores feasible solutions to design probmlems.
     • It uncovers users needs and business goals (and areas where the two overlap)
     • It ensures products meet or exceed user expectations, increasing adoption, use and loyalty, while reducing support.
     • It determines the feaibility of high wuality products that can be created and implemented.
   • UXD ensures people use things. when...
     • We can easily figure out how to accomplish our task
     • The steps involved in accomplishing the task - no matter how complex - seems simple.
     • Our sense of effort and cognitive load are minimized
     • Immediate, clear feedback is provided for interactions
     • Our potential for error is minimized - and when we do make a mistake, we can recover wuickly and easily
   • UXD is a balancing act
     • Innovation: a new way of thinking or doing something OR a better way of doing something
     • Desirability: does anyone want it? Does it matter to people?
     • Feasibility: can i actually build it? Do I have the resources to design this?
     • Viability: does this have a good shelf life? Will you make other continuing versions?

3. Why should we care about user experience?

   • Because our creations are used by people and people have either good or bad experiences. The bad ones stick with you. People broadcast these issues.
   • We want a valuable experience and for our needs to be met.
   • We want our questions to be answered and for our time to be respected.
   • We still have a high expectation for customer service. We want to be lead to some degree.
   • We set our expectations visually. We want something modern, not too much information at once, and that uses the least amount of effort for huge returns.
   • Cross channel expectations (across devices)
   • Users will choose good design over brand loyalty. They will abandon a product or service if its deemed too difficult to use.
   • Task completion isn't the same as success. The user must enjoy the process, like driving a fast car from A to B versus a beat down one.

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