Course 1 - Week 2

Question 1

What is “User-centered” design framework?

Answer 1

Putting the end user front and center throughout entire development process.

Business: Protect investment by reducing risk of missing the mark; Alternative is just building based on personal bias/loudest voices in the office.
User: More likely to end up with product that “gets me” and solves my actual problems.
Virtue: Prevents wasting the time and resources of everyone involved when we build the wrong thing - be it wrong problems or wrong solutions.

Question 2

What are the steps of the User-center Design Process (framework)? USDE

Answer 2

1. Understand
2. Specify
3. Design
4. Evaluate

Iterate as needed!

Question 3

What is a user?

Answer 3

User is a person who is trying to solve a problem, looking for a product/service to help them solve it.

Question 4

What is AT? What are some examples?

Answer 4

Assistive Technology - products, services, etc that enhance learning, working, daily living for people with disabilities.
Examples:
- Color modification (high contrast/dark mode)
- Voice control/speech to text
- Switches (replacing need for keyboard or mouse)
- Screen readers (reads text on screen aloud)
- Alt Text (uses words to describe visual - also good for slow/bad connections - emerging users)

Question 5

What are the steps of the Design Thinking framework? What are tasks/outputs for each step?

Answer 5

1. Empathize
- Learn about users, environment, problems (leave assumptions behind)
- Surveys, interviews, observations, competitor research
2. Define
- Using reserach - prioritize problems, choose goal
- Create clear problem statement/value proposition
3. Ideate*
- brainstorm wide range of design solutions (judgment-free)
- Collaborative brainstorming w/stakeholders (low fidelity ideas, workflows)
4/5. Prototype/Test
- Create finalized design through iterative approach with testing/feedback (from inside team, to other teams, to end users)

Iterate as needed

This framework gets everyone on same page, transparency on how/why decisions are made throughout process. Gives everyone same map/compass throughout - helps with collaboration. Standard process helps cohesion, smooth workflow across various projects.

Question 6

What are core principles, regardless of framework?

Answer 6

• Focus on the user
• Create solutions that address user problems
• Collaborate across departments (for buy-in, validation, and improvement)
• Validate your designs through with testing and feedback
• Iterate as needed

Question 7

What are the differences between Universal, Inclusive, and Equity-focused design?

Answer 7

Universal design - “one size/solution” fits all
Inclusive design - “solve for one, extend to many”; Take into account ability, race, economic status, language, age, gender - include researchers/designers from different backgrounds.
Equity-focused design - Specially considering groups who have been historically underrepresented or ignored when designing - accessible and fair to all genders, races, and abilities. Goal to uplift groups.