02 Usability

Summary

The session focuses on usability (UI/UX) in software development. It highlights the importance of understanding user needs and how poor user interface design can lead to confusion and inefficiency. Examples illustrate common mistakes in design, emphasizing that usability is key to user satisfaction. It also discusses methods to enhance usability through testing and iterative design improvements. The video stresses that while users aren't always right about their needs, gathering their feedback is essential for creating effective, user-friendly designs. The talk concludes by underlining the necessity of early and continuous usability testing throughout the development process.

Takeaways

• 📊 The session introduces several key concepts around usability (UCB), emphasizing its importance in software development.
• 🖼️ The first example uses an analogy of confusing door instructions to demonstrate poor design that leads to user frustration.
• 💡 One of the main issues in software design is that programmers often don't understand the real needs of users, resulting in applications that don't align with user behavior.
• 📏 Usability focuses on factors like ease of use, the number of errors users make, and the time it takes to become proficient with a system.
• 📝 Jakob Nielsen's usability principles include learnability, efficiency, memorability, error prevention, and user satisfaction.
• ⚙️ A system is only useful if it balances both functionality and usability; one without the other renders a system inefficient.
• 🔍 Usability testing involves observing users interacting with the design to identify areas of difficulty, and small, iterative tests are more effective than large studies.
• 🏷️ Usability is crucial for web design; websites that are hard to navigate or understand are abandoned by users.
• 🖥️ The positioning of buttons like 'OK' and 'Cancel' in user interfaces can vary by operating system, requiring careful consideration by designers.
• 🛠️ Continuous usability testing throughout the design process, starting with low-fidelity prototypes, helps catch and resolve structural issues before final implementation.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the session described in the transcript?

The session focuses on usability (UCBL) in software development, discussing its importance, how to improve it, and when to integrate usability testing in the design process.

Why do large, important systems sometimes fail to be used effectively?

Large systems often fail because programmers develop applications based on their own interpretations, without fully understanding the users' needs or involving them in the process.

What is the problem with the design of doors mentioned in the script?

The issue arises from inconsistent instructions on how to open the door, with one door showing conflicting instructions (push and pull). The design could confuse users due to unclear cues.

What is usability testing, and why is it important?

Usability testing involves having representative users perform tasks with a design and observing where they succeed or struggle. It helps identify and correct usability issues, ensuring that the system is user-friendly.

What are the five components of usability according to Jacob Nielsen?

The five components are learnability, efficiency, memorability, error handling, and user satisfaction.

How should usability be integrated into the software development process?

Usability should be tested early and throughout the design process, from low-fidelity prototypes to final implementations. Continuous testing ensures issues are addressed before becoming structural problems.

Why is usability crucial for websites, particularly in e-commerce?

Usability is critical because if a website is hard to use, users will leave it. If they cannot find what they need or navigate easily, they are less likely to make a purchase.

What is the relationship between usability and functionality in software design?

Both usability and functionality are equally important in determining whether a design is useful. A system may have the right features, but if it's difficult to use, it won't meet users' needs.

What can be learned from Google's experience with search result display?

Google increased the number of search results per page to 30 based on user feedback, but usage decreased by 20%. This showed that users don’t always know what they need, and performance (loading times) also matters.

When should usability testing be conducted?

Usability testing should be conducted before starting a new design, throughout iterative design processes, and even after the final implementation to continuously improve user experience.