3. Definition
User-centered design process (UCD) is also called
human-centred design process.
Human centred design processes for interactive systems.
"Human-centred design is an approach to interactive system
development that focuses specifically on making systems usable.
It is a multi-disciplinary activity."
In UCD, all "development proceeds with the user as the center of
focus
8. User-centered design (UCD) in designing web pages
is a project approach that puts the intended users of a site at the
centre of its design and development. It does this by talking directly
to the user at key points in the project to make sure the site will
deliver upon their requirements.
The stages are carried out in an iterative fashion, with the cycle
being repeated until the project's usability objectives have been
attained. This makes it critical that the participants in these methods
accurately reflect the profile of your actual users.
How to use method
11. ISO 13407 outlines four essential activities in a user-centered
design project:
1-Requirements gathering - Understanding and specifying the
context of use
2-Requirements specification - Specifying the user and
organisational requirements
3-Design - Producing designs and prototypes
4-Evaluation - Carrying out user-based assessment of the site.
User-centered design project
13. Usable methods
Method Cost Output Sample size When to use
Focus groups Low Non-statistical Low
Requirements
gathering
Usability testing High
Statistical & non-
statistical
Low
Design &
evaluation
Card Sorting High Statistical High Design
Participatory
design
Low Non-statistical Low Design
Questionnaires Low Statistical High
Requirements
gathering &
evaluation
Interviews High Non-statistical Low
Requirements
gathering &
evaluation
.The following is a typical top-level characterisation of the most
popular user-centered design methods:
