In broad terms, user-centered design (UCD) is a design philosophy and a process in which the needs, wants, and limitations of end users of an interface or document are given extensive attention at each stage of the design process. User-centered design can be characterized as a multi-stage problem solving process that not only requires designers to analyze and foresee how users are likely to use an interface, but also to test the validity of their assumptions with regards to user behaviour in real world tests with actual users. Such testing is necessary as it is often very difficult for the designers of an interface to understand intuitively what a first-time user of their design experiences, and what each user's learning curve may look like.
As a designer I need to remember these important points:
Purpose:
- Who are the users?
- What are the users' tasks and goals?
- What information do the users need, and in what form do they need it?
- How do users think this 'thing' should work?
- What are the users experience with documents like this, and how can I improve them?
Visibility
Accessibility
Legibility
Language
Audience
Purpose
Context
These are all really important things to consider when designing for my target audience. Constant feedback will be needed to ensure that I am producing something worthwhile and effective enough to help and create a solution to my problem.
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