User-centred design (UCD)
The fundamental principle of UCD is understanding the needs of the users is the key to designing the best products and services.
Principles
- The design must be curated according to the understanding of the users, tasks and environment.
- The design addresses the whole user experience.
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| Remote controls can be confusing |
User, task, and the environment
- USER - the UCD pays very particular attention to the needs of the user. The designer makes the item/product to fit the user's needs and wants to best achieve usability (empathic design).
- TASK - the design has to consider the task or job that the product is meant to do, eg. the ATM is meant to be a user friendly way to manage their electronic finances.
- ENVIRONMENT - where the product is going to be used. eg. cars will be used in the open environment so each aspect of the car has to be carefully planned and placed in the right locations of the car for the eased use of the user.
Iterative processes
- It goes through design stages (akin to the design cycle), and at each stage the user is consulted until requirements are met. This leaves for very careful and thought out planning.
- The five stages of the UCD consist of Research, Concept, Design, Implementation, and Launch. These five stages fit right in with the design cycle.
- RESEARCH - researching the requirements and considerations of the product
- CONCEPT - brainstorming ways and further developing that ideas to model the potential final product
- DESIGN - further development of ideas and curated models ie. prototypes and mock ups for the users and designers to evaluate
- IMPLEMENTATION - testing period of the product with the information gathered used to make improvements to the product
- LAUNCH - end product is launched and its performance is monitored.
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| Five stages of UCD |
Multidisciplinary teams
UCD design teams include a variety of experts in different fields, and some include anthropologists, ethnographers, engineers, and psychologists.
Inclusive Design
a product made and designed for all users regardless of age, physical, sensory, or disabilities.
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