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1. I believe it's easier to teach people how to think about good design by making them watch people use something, rather than have them make anything.
Observation first. Creation later.
Observation first. Creation later.
2. Consider how many things are made where it's clear the makers never watched anyone use it.
People with ideas go directly to making. They skip the studying/observing.
People with ideas go directly to making. They skip the studying/observing.
3. If you pick up many tactical books on UX design or web design, or for any design tool, you jump right into making something: a wireframe, a dialog box a sketch. Make make make!
What if the first step was: go find someone using something like what you want to make and watch!
What if the first step was: go find someone using something like what you want to make and watch!
4. The emotional experience of watching someone try and fail to use something is perhaps the most powerful force for good design there is.
But it too often gets relegated to usability "test" - something done later and when it's too late to make big changes.
But it too often gets relegated to usability "test" - something done later and when it's too late to make big changes.
5. I was trained to do usability *studies* - it's not a test! It's not pass/fail. You are studying to learn and the sooner you learn the reality of how people interact w/things the better.
I'm fond of generalist UX attitudes for this reason. More ppl trained to observe is good.
I'm fond of generalist UX attitudes for this reason. More ppl trained to observe is good.
6. People say "but this is a v1, how can we study?" Grrrrr.
Your future users are currently using something else you intend to replace. Study that!
Quickbooks v1 chose to compete with pencil and paper. They studied what that did well and what it didn't. What's your equivalent?
Your future users are currently using something else you intend to replace. Study that!
Quickbooks v1 chose to compete with pencil and paper. They studied what that did well and what it didn't. What's your equivalent?
