Design
Usability
Usability is a measure of how well a specific user in a specific context can use a product to achieve a defined goal.
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Usability is the measure of how easy and effective a product is to use. It encompasses a wide range of factors, including learnability, efficiency, memorability, and error prevention. A product with good usability is more likely to be adopted by users and achieve its intended goals. Usability is a critical aspect of user experience design and should be considered throughout the development process.
10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface DesignJakob Nielsen outlines the 10 general usability principles for user interface design.- Top 10 Application-Design MistakesJakob Nielsen describes the common usability mistakes of application design including poor feedback, inconsistency, bad error messages and unlabeled icons.
Usability Testing
Usability testing is a method for evaluating a product's usability by observing users as they interact with it. It involves creating realistic scenarios and tasks for users to complete and collecting feedback on their experience. Usability testing can reveal areas of a product that are confusing or difficult to use, as well as identify opportunities for improvement. It is an essential part of the Design Process and should be conducted regularly to ensure a product's usability remains high.
Remote Usability Testing 101 & How to Get StartedJustin explains how to conduct remote usability testing, the best practices and the different types.
How to Test Your Design’s LearnabilityNick explains what learnability is, why it matters and how to measure it in application design.
Advanced Techniques
There are several advanced techniques that can be used to improve a product's usability. These include heuristic evaluations, cognitive walkthroughs, and user Surveys. Heuristic evaluations involve experts evaluating a product against a set of usability principles to identify potential issues. Cognitive walkthroughs involve experts simulating user behavior to identify areas of confusion or difficulty. User Surveys can provide valuable feedback on a product's usability and user experience. These techniques can be used in combination to provide a comprehensive evaluation of a product's usability.
A Usable Guide to Cognitive DimensionsFabio covers the 14 cognitive dimensions of notation and how they apply to the product Design Process.
Career Framework
Usability is part of our Design Career Leveling Framework. Explore next steps in your career from this industry-standard model.