With the consumerization of technology, today’s users are more sophisticated and they demand business and consumer applications and software that are intuitive, and easy to navigate and make purchasing, working, browsing and finding information a quick and simple task. Today’s savvy users have no patience for applications and software that lead them down dead end paths, throw error messages without telling them what to do, display half of a screen on a mobile device or demand that they use convoluted or restricted workflows and processes to accomplish a task.Designing and developing a new Ux, or upgrading or migrating to a new Ux, must include technology, framework and platform research, as well as thorough testing, and user involvement in prototype phases. These factors will ensure that the Ux is flexible, intuitive and meets the requirements of the targeted users and the environment in which the application, software or site are used – followed by multiple iterations to ‘get it right’.
The optimal user interface is:
- >> Flexible enough to accommodate changes in business or user processes or needs
- >> Intuitive enough for the ‘average user’ to adopt and use with ease
- >> Comprehensive enough to anticipate the twists and turns of user navigation and provide messages and paths through the system to get the user back to where they want to be
- >> Appealing to the eye and familiar to users within their technology paradigm
- >> Inclusive to all user perspectives, with UI controls, navigation and tasks that will help them to accomplish a task in a way that is meaningful and makes sense to them
- >> Suitable for all types of target devices and screen sizes with mouse or touch-driven navigation
In considering the various requirements, factors and aspects of Ux design, many businesses conclude that they will require the services of an expert in Ux – to ensure that all aspects of this critical component of site, software and application design are effectively addressed, including standards and regulations for UI design, Ux techniques and knowledge of domains, frameworks and platforms. If a business takes the time and focus to truly understand human interface and the psychology of use and understands how underlying technology can positively affect this process, the design, development and adoption of the application will be seamless and successful.
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