Topic 7.3 and 7.4: Strategies for User research and UCD Flashcards
User population
Range of users for a specific group expected to use a product. Most products are designed for use by different populations and thus are designed to appeal to a broad user population.
Personae
Are fictional characters you create based on your research to represent the different user types that might use your service or product in a design context.
Types of personae
Primary personae - Primary target users
Secondary personae - represents not the primary users but users whose needs must be met in some way
Anti-personae - users for whom the product is not being designed for
Types of research
Primary research: collecting and analysing original information from persons or organisations.
Secondary research: the analysis of existing information (websites, books), it is usually faster and easier to get than primary.
Quantitative and qualitative research: subjective and objective findings.
Field research
Takes place in the place where the user interacts with a product or service.
This research can be reliable as it is based on reality, not on assumptions by designers.
Method of extremes
sampling method that selects users in the extreme ranges of a population - the 2.5 percentiles and the 97.5 percentiles.
Affinity diagrams
a graphic organising tool that helps identify common themes and key facts while organising loose, unstructured ideas.
participatory design
Including the intended users in an outcome’s research, concept, design or production.
Paper prototyping and usability testing
Prototype testing involves giving the user a product prototype and observing how they use it.
Paper prototyping is an effective tool to understand how users will interact with a design.
natural environment
research involves the user or client using the product in the environment in which it is intended (home, office).
