User experience (UX) focuses on having a deep understanding of users. This includes what are the users’ needs, what they value, what are their abilities and limitations etc. It also takes into account the business goals and objectives of the group managing the project. UX best practices promote improving the quality of the user’s interaction with and perceptions of your product and any related services.
Good design is easy to spot but often hard to pin down. What exactly makes a product effective to its users? Is it a matter of structure, simplicity, or functionality? The answer depends on the product in question.
Primary characteristics of good UX are if a product’s design is—usable, useful, equitable and enjoyable.
Usable product
If a product is usable, it means the product has a clear design, structure,purpose and is easy to use.
Imagine you are evaluating the usability of a railway ticket app. Assuming the primary purpose of this app is to book a train ticket, the design should provide a clear and easy way to complete that task. For example, a section where you can easily enter travel details on the homepage which would generate available trains to book would be an example of good usability.
As you evaluate a product for usability, you can ask questions like:
· Is everything in the design easy to find? Is it easy to understand the design’s functionality?
· Are users able to accomplish specific tasks within the design?
Useful product
If a product is useful, that means it solves user problems or the design intentionally solves a user problem that the designer has identified. It’s important to note that, while similar, useful and usable have different meanings.
A product that is useful isn’t always usable. The same is true for the opposite. The distinction between the two is that usability refers to the product working well and being easy to use, while usefulness refers directly to the ability to solve user problems.
Imagine you’re evaluating how useful a banking app is. Users typically download these apps because they need a place to manage their money. With this in mind, aspects of the app that might be considered useful are features that can be used to transfer money between accounts and pay bills.
As you evaluate how useful a product’s UX is, you can ask questions like:
· Does the design add value to the user’s experience?
· Does the design solve a problem for the user?
· Does the design help the user achieve a specific goal?
Equitable product
If a product is equitable, it means a design is helpful to people with diverse abilities and backgrounds. In other words, the product’s design addresses the needs of a diverse audience and ensures a high-quality experience is delivered to all users regardless of background, gender, race, or ability. Equity means providing people with the tools they need to accomplish their goals and support improved quality of life.
Equity goes beyond the concept of equality, where everyone is given equal resources, because people often need different tools and support based on their needs. This is especially important to keep in mind for those in commonly disenfranchised groups.
Imagine you are evaluating how equitable a Messaging app is. You might consider the design more equitable if the keyboard emoji list includes different skin tones or gender-neutral avatar options.
As you evaluate the equity of a product’s UX, you can ask questions like:
· Whether the needs of a diverse group are considered?
· Does the product’s design address the needs of traditionally underrepresented and excluded groups?
Enjoyable product
If a product is enjoyable, it means the design delights the user. The design reflects what the user may be thinking or feeling and creates a positive connection with them. A product’s design doesn’t have to be enjoyable for it to function properly. But, an enjoyable design adds to an already functional product and can enhance the user’s feelings about the experience.
Imagine you are evaluating how enjoyable a social media App is. Design aspects that might increase how much you enjoy the product include personalized recommendations based on previously viewed posts , or the ability to customize the appearance of your account.
As you evaluate how enjoyable a product’s UX is, you can ask questions like:
· Are there aspects of the design that consider the user’s feelings?
· Does the design inspire delight in the user?
· Does the design keep the user engaged throughout their experience?
There are endless examples of great UX design around you. It’s just a matter of finding the right design.
