PLO 4
"Identify user needs, ideate informatics products and services, prototype new concepts, and evaluate a prototype's usability."
Definition:
Products and services can always be optimized according to user behavior. User feedback is crucial to creating meaningful change. Product iterations would be baseless without a user-centered approach. User research allows businesses and product influencers to understand what areas a product is succeeding in and where it can be improved upon. Ultimately, reasons for a specific design and any subsequent changes to a design should be obtained through research.
Developing products without the user in mind can lead to subpar resource management. Users are at the center of products and services, so understanding their pain points and desires is essential. Thus, when users provide feedback, products can gradually improve. Constructing a prescribed method of studying meaningful change will standardize the approach necessary to understand, implement, and adjust products and services based on user insight. Products and services should be designed according to how users actually use them.
Description:
#1: Website Overhaul
For this assignment, I redesigned two pages from an existing website and drafted a presentation and final report. I outlined a problem statement, business and design objectives, and articulated user research conducted. I presented two user personas and their narratives, needs, and pain points. I constructed two user journey maps: one map displaying how one of the personas uses the website in its current state and the other map showing how the same persona would interact with the redesigned pages. Two wireframes were created to show how the redesigned site pages would feel much more intuitive to the user personas. I also created a site model to demonstrate how the redesign would change the website’s information architecture. Finally, I provided recommendations to the site owner on how the website could be improved beyond the website’s design. The website redesign was based on user interactions with the website, and the expected outcomes of the redesign are subject to subsequent user experiences.
Website Project Presentation.pdfWebsite Project Report.pdf#2: Website Concept: Filtrique
Filtrique is a fictional water bottle company that I created to use as an example of how website design can be centered around business needs. In this report, I proposed specific website functionality, website aesthetics, and possible website content. I also discussed the targeted user group for the product and used the composition of the user group as the reason for my recommendations. For the website content, I included informative content, as well as interactive media that users can engage in. To illustrate how the website would display to users, I included two wireframes with notes about the interface and the interactivity of certain elements. Since this website is a prototype, metrics for both short-term and long-term success were outlined. These metrics can be used to determine what areas of the website should be improved upon.
Website Interface Design for a Filtered Water Bottle Company.pdfDiscussion:
These assignments have shown me the importance of conducting user research. Designing with users in mind and ensuring that user needs are being met when using a product is the key to success. It is particularly helpful to know what outcomes a business desires when implementing changes. With this information, metrics for success can be developed and user behaviors can be analyzed against expectations. Businesses can learn from user sentiments regarding the current iteration of a product and adjust accordingly. It is clear to me that efficient designing is founded on the knowledge of how users interact with products.