[Sigia-l] Usability in Fancy Clothes?

[Paul Bryan IA]

Did someone say user experience design is usability dressed up in fancy
clothes? I don't think so.

Usability asks if the interaction is right ("right" being defined by some
accepted standard).

User experience design asks if it is the right interaction. "Right" in this
case is often assessed according to how well it supports the main objectives
of the organization who sponsored the application, and how well it satisfies
the needs and goals of key audience segments. User experience design is a
form of product design.

For example, an interaction on an online car dealership's site that lets
users view anagrams of their name for customized license plates may be
highly usable, yet not support the dealership's business model or the goals
of car shoppers at all. A usability assessment of the interaction (is
lateral scrolling involved - no; is the font too small for the
demographics - no; etc.) may give it two thumbs up, while a user experience
design assessment may recommend it be replaced with a trim configurator in
response to e-mails received by customer service.

Paul Bryan

Paul at BryanIA.com


<snip>     * Experience Design is just Web Usability that is charged out at
a 25% premium, and is the first destination of the rats fleeing the good
ship Usability.
</snip>