This article originally appeared in VIEWS magazine Summer 2012. It’s a fairly detailed overview of my method for running usability studies, which typically combines elements of usability with other forms of qualitative research.
Most people’s lives depend on interacting with technology, whether while making purchases, researching over the internet, checking email, calling someone over a smartphone or setting the oven temperature. How can product developers know, though, whether the interactive technology is delivering their goods, services, information and messaging in a way that facilitates — or instead creates barriers to — their goals? Usability testing can be a very effective tool for finding and fixing problems with an interactive design. READ THE ARTICLE