This was a usability presentation I gave in February, 2013 at the IIS Cognitive Brownbag. My inspiration for creating and presenting on usability was to encourage my colleagues to take a user-centered perspective when designing software. Another goal was to encourage use of agile development methodologies with a focus on user testing.
2. Thanks for checking out my presentation. This was a
presentation I gave at the IIS Cognitive Brownbag in February, 2013.
This presentation was created with Powerpoint and
originally presented with a plugin called PPT Plex (don’t use it). The
design of these slides was guided by the fact that I was using Plex.
My inspiration for creating and presenting on usability was
to encourage my colleagues to take a user-centered perspective
when designing software. Another goal was to encourage use of
agile development methodologies with a focus on user testing. I
hope the original message comes through by just reading the slides.
-Patrick
http://dphays.com
13. Usable objects/interfaces just
make life easier on the user…
- Setting your alarm clock each day.
- Making coffee.
- Driving to work (in the rain).
- Crosswalk lights.
- Installing a printer driver.
14. Poor usability can lead to injury, anger,
frustration, wasted time, damage to
the product or system, boredom, or
other negative consequences…
15. Usually easier to pick up on
bad usability than it is to
recognize good usability.
Good design seems
effortless.
Originally found in Effective Project Management: Traditional, Agile, Extreme by Robert K. Wysocki
16. Usually easier to pick
up on bad usability than it
is to recognize good
usability.
Good design seems effortless.
17. So why is usability important?
o A product/system developer focusing on
achieving high usability will make products that
are easy to use and intuitive.
o There will be fewer issues to correct in future
versions of the product.
o The user/consumer will be happy that their
product is easy to use and functions as
intended.
20. Examples of software that
demand usable interfaces…
- Operating systems
- Web browsers and web sites
- Educational software
- Any software with an interface!
29. Just having one person that
understands the importance of
usability is not enough.
Must be a team effort to
acknowledge and tackle
usability issues!
33. There is nothing more important
than the people that will be
using the system!
It doesn’t matter if you think it’s a
good idea. If it doesn’t work for the
users, then it doesn’t work.
41. Simply looking at an element
should tell users what the
element does.
Consider a link on a website. If the
link does not look clickable, you
have not made clear the object’s
primary affordance.
43. Color
Humans automatically chunk information.
Use color to help organize chunks into
meaningful groups and guide the user’s
attention.
However, some people have color
vision deficiencies, so do not rely on
color too much.
50. REMEMBER
- The user’s perspective is the most
important factor.
- To many users the interface is the
software.
- Test early. Test often.
- Motivation and interest are crucial.
- Communication and a group
understanding of usability are key
factors to creating a usable product.
51. These are some of the books I
used when creating this
presentation.
Check them out,
especially The Design
of Everyday Things.