At Charitoo Design Studio, we believe that UX design plays a vital role in shaping how we interact with technology. UX designers work hard to make technology not only easier to understand but also more enjoyable to use. But how did the study of user experience (UX) come about? Let’s take a quick look at the history of UX to get up to speed.
The term “user experience” was first introduced in the 1990s by Don Norman, a cognitive psychologist, as technology began to evolve and expand. While the term may be relatively new, the concept of creating better user experiences actually dates back thousands of years to ancient China, where Feng Shui—the practice of arranging spaces for better well-being—was born. Practitioners of Feng Shui believed that the way we organize spaces can impact our health, happiness, and overall success. And while Feng Shui is still used today in many fields, its core idea of creating harmony is still deeply relevant, especially in the tech world. For UX designers, this idea revolves around how users interact with and feel about the products they use.
What is User Experience (UX)?
User experience refers to how a person feels when interacting with or using a product. A product can be anything: a physical object like a video game controller or a snack, or a digital product like an app, website, or smartwatch. A good user experience is crucial to making technology something people enjoy and find easy to use.
What Makes a Good User Experience?
For a product to create a positive user experience, it must be:
- Usable – The product should be easy to use and understand.
- Equitable – It should be accessible to everyone, no matter their abilities.
- Enjoyable – Using the product should bring a positive, emotional connection.
- Useful – The product should solve a real problem.
Let’s break these down a bit more:
Usability: Making Things Easy to Use
At the heart of UX design is usability, which focuses on making products easy to use. This means the design, structure, and purpose of the product should be clear and intuitive. Take the example of a ketchup bottle. In the past, ketchup came in glass bottles where users had to tap the bottom to get ketchup out, often resulting in too much or too little. Today, we have squeezable plastic bottles, which allow users to control how much ketchup they want. That’s usability in action!
Equity: Designing for Everyone
UX designers must also consider a wide range of users, including people with disabilities or those from different life experiences. For example, an app full of text might be easy for some users but challenging for those with visual impairments. Designing with equity in mind means ensuring that products work for as many people as possible, regardless of their abilities.
Enjoyability: Making It Fun
Another key aspect of UX design is ensuring the product is enjoyable to use. When products create a positive emotional connection, users feel more engaged. For example, when ordering food online, users can see pictures of dishes, read reviews, and make an informed choice. This enjoyable experience helps users feel satisfied and happy with their decision.
Usefulness: Solving Real Problems
Lastly, a product must be useful—it should solve a problem. For example, a map app that helps you find your way home is incredibly useful. But if the app can’t detect your location, it becomes much less helpful. A great user experience means that the product is not only functional but also solves real problems for its users.
Why is UX Important for Businesses?
You may be wondering why UX matters so much for businesses. A 2018 study by McKinsey & Company found that companies that prioritize usability and design perform better than their competitors. When people love a product, they use it more and recommend it to friends. The more people use a product, the more business the company gets. Plus, when users have a great experience with a product, they’re more likely to feel positively about the company behind it. It’s a win-win for both users and businesses.
Can you think of a product that you loved so much that you recommended it to a friend? That’s a perfect example of successful UX design in action!
However, despite its importance, many companies still don’t fully understand how impactful UX design can be for their business. That’s where you, as a UX designer, come in. By designing products that people love to use, you can help businesses succeed.
Now that you have a clearer understanding of what UX is and why it matters, stay tuned as we explore what UX designers do and how they bring these principles to life!
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