Yesterday, West Coast UX tweeted the “3 Commandments of Great UX Design” by Fast Company.
While the article is geared towards web designers, there was a part (see below) that anyone designing something for business could easily apply. When running a business you know at some point you will be designing a graphic — a sketch, newsletter, Instagram post or business card.
The goal, when designing anything, is to always keep it simple and to the point. You want people to be able to understand what it is you are selling and what they need to do next in a short amount of time. It’s almost like that annoying 140 charters we love to hate (for those familiar with Twitter). Before starting work on that next project, take a look at “Nielsen Norman Group’s five core components to usability“:
- Learnability – The ease with which the user can figure out how to use the product for the first time.
- Efficiency – The ease with which users can accomplish tasks.
- Memorability – How well a user can recall the system after a period without using it.
- Errors – The amount and severity of errors both from the system and the user.
- Satisfaction – The pleasure a user gets from using the product.”
ETC Translation:
- Learnability – The ease with which the user can figure out how to use the product for the first time.
- iPhones: no user guide. Yes, it can be frustrating when starting out for the first time, but just tap on something and you discover something new.
- Websites: How easy is it for someone to figure out what it is you sell?
- Efficiency – The ease with which users can accomplish tasks.
- iPhone: How easy is it to navigate? If you want to make a call how easy is it accomplish?
- Websites: How easy is it to contact you or book a time?
- Memorability – How well a user can recall the system after a period without using it.
- iPhone: I can upgrade from a 4 to a 6s without any issues because the main functions are the same, just a few changes on the outside.
- Website: If its been awhile since I’ve been to your site can I still hop on & get right to work? Or do I have to spend time figuring it out all over again?
- Errors – The amount and severity of errors both from the system and the user.
- Website: Always test your website & the processes yourself. Ask others to test it for you too! I just reworked my home page & created 5 tasks (thanks to advice from West Coast UX) for a few select people to go through and test out my site. You want to give them specific tasks.
- Satisfaction – The pleasure a user gets from using the product.”
- How does it make the user feel?
- What do you want the user to feel?