User centred design

The most successful sites on the internet focus on being user-oriented instead of technology-oriented. The underlying premise of user centred design (UCD) is that the best designed products and services result from understanding the needs of the people who will use them.

Benefits of this service

A site that has considered the needs of the user at every step of the way is much more likely to be successful and increase your return on investment (ROI) online.

Advantages

• Increased revenues online
• Increased customer satisfaction and retention
• Reduction in support and training materials required
• Focus on user tasks rather than technology
• Brand reinforcement through good user experience
• Reduced chances of expensive last minute revisions
• Leads to a sense of ownership for the final product

Disadvantages

• Requires resources e.g. human input and also financial resources
• It can take longer to implement which can frustrate design and development teams keen to get cracking, but will save time in the long run

The approach

The UCD process is an iterative process, where design and evaluation steps are built in from the first stage of projects, through implementation.

The process

User centered design can be broken into three main phases: Analysis, Design, Evaluation.

Analysis

• Vision, goals, objectives
• User analysis
• Task analysis
• Information architecture analysis
• Workflow analysis

Design

• Conceptual/mental model, metaphors, design concepts
• Navigation design
• Storyboards, wireframes
• Detailed design
• Paper or other low-fidelity prototypes
• Medium-fidelity prototypes, for example, online mockups
• Functional, high-fidelity prototypes

Evaluation

• Design walkthroughs, cognitive walkthroughs
• Usability testing: low fidelity through high fidelity

The deliverables

We can help you with various aspects of the User centred design process to ensure your site is working for you and generating a high return on investment.

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