I remember the good old days when IT consultants and in-house IT staff decided how users would interact with data, what software would look like and user needs and wants took a back seat to the dictates of technical experts. User manuals were written in technical jargon and training was long and ineffective. If you think this world is still a reality, you (and your business) are probably struggling to succeed in the online world.
Your customers and business users EXPECT apps that will help them achieve their goals, answer questions, analyze information and get them where they are going quickly and efficiently. These expectations are happily supported by technology providers who have embraced and focused on the user experience (Ux). Ux designers study and understand how users think, how they want to use technology and how standards and techniques are changing so they can keep up with the ever-changing landscape of user/app interaction. Whether you are designing applications for the market or for business users, there is one thing you need to know. Your users will not accept delays, poorly designed sites that offer confusing navigation, slow performance, etc.
Today’s users play games, find information, do business, watch entertainment, get directions and otherwise live their lives online. At any given moment, they might access data on a smart watch, a smart phone, a desktop or a tablet and they want to go from one to the other with seamless ease. YOU have to make that happen if you want to keep their business OR if you expect your employees to function productively and quickly.
If you are ready to embrace the brave new world of user-centricity, you need to work with a User Experience Designer. Get yourself someone who knows how users think and how understands the latest, available techniques, methods and standards.
