As it is now, technology can make access to information dyadic & interactive, viral & spreadable, public & archived, fast & mobile. As technology evolves, the nature of our access to information should grow in terms of traditional convenience. However, that convenience often comes with a cost.
Take for example, the option of geolocation. A geolocation feature can often allow us to find our friends, who are using the same application, on a map. This feature can help us meet up with them conveniently, or provide them with recommendations on places to visit, or help them navigate to a certain location. While this feature may seem convenient to some, in order to stay connected with the people close to them, it may intrude on some user’s privacy. Since the popularization of the geolocation feature, incidences of stalking have gone up. Especially, for victims of domestic violence, this feature has aided abusive partners track down victims.
As such, user-centered design is an incredibly integral part of creating and improving the functions of a system. User centered design fundamentally requires its user to employ a mix of investigative (surveys, interviews etc.) and generative (brainstorming, concept mapping etc.) methods and tools in order to develop understanding of user needs.
User centered design is fundamentally an iterative process, with four distinct phases as shown in the image above. Firstly, the designers try to understand the context in which users may use the system. Next, they try to identify and specify the user’s requirements for using the system. Then, the designers try to develop design solutions, before finally evaluating the context, requirements and design solutions again.
When considering UCD, designers often consider the whole user experience. Therefore, they often try to include professionals from multiple disciplines, such as psychologists, ethnographers and software/hardware engineers. Furthermore, users themselves should be very involved in the process of user-centered design. “Bringing the users into every stage of the design process is an investment of effort and other resources of the design team, which makes understanding the benefits of a user-centered design approach relevant”(1).
According to Professor David Benyon, there are four ways in which user-centered design pays off (2):
- With close user involvement, products are more likely to meet users’ expectations and requirements. This leads to increased sales and lower costs incurred by customer services.
- Systems designers tailor products for people in specific contexts and with specific tasks, thereby reducing the chances of situations with a high risk of human error arising. UCD leads to safer products.
- Putting designers in close contact with users means a deeper sense of empathy emerges. This is essential in creating ethical designs that respect privacy and the quality of life.
- By focusing on all users of a product, designers can recognize the diversity of cultures and human values through UCD – a step in the right direction towards creating sustainable businesses.
(1) https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/user-centered-design
(2) https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/user-centered-design
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