Bailey MeCey

In understanding the goals of user-centered design, it is important to have a basic understanding of the core concepts. These concepts help build the foundation of user-centered design and assist the learning process.

Product Lifecycle

The first concept I would like to discuss is the product lifecycle. In short, the product lifecycle is the baseline process for developing a new product, and how to improve the product as a whole. The best way to do this is through a user-centered design, where the process revolves around the end-user, and not just the product itself.

In Understanding Your Users, the product lifecycle is broken down into four different categories; concept, design, develop, release. While the core of the model is linear, completing each category at a time before moving on to the next, it is important to see the process as ever-evolving as new information is presented. Even after the release of the product, new information can be attained that will present even better opportunities.

An important note in the product lifecycle is to build empathy with the users through the concept section. In designing a product, if there is not a connection to the feelings and emotions of the users then it will have difficulty connecting with them. Another way to help connect and understand users is knowing what they think about a product.

Mental Models

Another concept I would like to discuss is the mental model. A mental model is how the user thinks a product will work. When we think about users, they all will develop a different mental model from their use or experiences. That is why it is important to keep each user’s background and experience in mind, as their mental models will be different compared to someone else’s.

In The Secret to Designing an Intuitive UX, Susan Weinschenk describes mental models and how they inform design. Another aspect of the article is on conceptual models or the “actual model” of the product that is given to the users. An important note is how there can be serious problems if the mental models are in disconnect with the conceptual model. Some users have mental models that differ from others, and if the product only addresses one mental model then it will fall flat with the other.

One way to address the issue of the mental model is through the creation of personas. Personas help give designers a specific kind of person in mind through the design, so different kinds of personas can be created to address different mental models.

Sources:

Baxter, K., Courage, C., & Caine, K. (2015). Chapter 1: Introduction to User Experience. In Understanding your users a practical guide to user research methods, tools, and Techniques. essay, Elsevier Science & Technology. 

Weinschenk, S. (2021, November 5). The secret to designing an intuitive UX. UX Magazine. Retrieved January 31, 2022, from https://uxmag.com/articles/the-secret-to-designing-an-intuitive-user-experience