Reflection

This week, we looked at heuristic evaluations, and its importance in design. Essentially, a heuristic evaluation involves assessing the usability of a design based on established principles or rules (heuristics) rather than conducting extensive user testing. This method intrigued me as it provides a structured approach to assess usability, especially when there's limited time or resources for user testing.

Understanding the instances of when to conduct a heuristic evaluation was enlightening. I learned that it's particularly valuable in the initial stages of design or during iterations when quick feedback is needed. It allows for identifying potential usability issues early on, preventing them from persisting throughout the design process.

Moreover, learning about the process involved in conducting a heuristic evaluation was insightful. The idea of applying established usability principles to analyse a design's effectiveness seems practical and efficient. It involves evaluating a design against a set of recognised usability heuristics, uncovering possible issues, and suggesting improvements.

As a design student, this newfound knowledge is invaluable. The ability to perform heuristic evaluations enables me to critically assess my designs using established principles, even in situations where user testing might be limited. It offers a structured and systematic approach to refine my designs, making them more user-friendly and effective. This method serves as a beneficial tool in my design toolkit, aiding me in creating better, more user-centric designs.

Class Exercise

We were tasked with conducting a heuristic evaluation of the Translink website. We were put in groups and assigned the specific task of assessing the website's functionality for booking travel.

Here is what we came up with. I’m sure with more time this list would be much longer.

Research

After this lecture I wanted to look at Jakob Nielsen's 10 usability heuristics in more detail. They represent a set of guiding principles fundamental to enhancing the usability and user experience of digital interfaces. These principles are not merely theoretical constructs but are based on empirical observations, usability studies, and practical applications in the field of human-computer interaction.

The principle of "Visibility of System Status" has been substantiated by numerous studies showing that clear and continuous feedback during user interactions aids in understanding ongoing processes and prevents confusion. Systems that provide real-time feedback about users' actions allow for better control and comprehension of the interface.

"Match Between System and the Real World" aligns with research indicating that interfaces resembling familiar concepts and real-world elements are more intuitive and user-friendly. Interfaces that mimic users' mental models and follow established conventions significantly reduce the learning curve and enhance usability.

User control and freedom, as outlined in the heuristic, have been confirmed by research as crucial factors in a user's experience. Providing clear navigation paths, an easy way to reverse actions, or exit undesired states decreases frustration and contributes to a more positive user experience.

Studies corroborate the significance of "Consistency and Standards" in design elements and interaction patterns. Consistent interfaces across different sections or pages of an application establish familiarity and predictability, contributing to improved usability and user satisfaction. The effectiveness of these heuristics has been observed through usability testing, user feedback, and practical implementations, serving as valuable guidelines for designers and developers to create more user-centric and intuitive digital interfaces.

SDG Project Development