Inclusive User Research and Information Architecture

Tag: User-Centred Design

User-centred design (UCD) is an iterative research and design process which focuses on the people and their needs in each phase of the design process.

In UCD, design teams involve users throughout the design process via a variety of research and design techniques, to create highly usable and accessible products for them.

Talks and Workshops

User research with older populations

An older person with dementia in a paired content review exercise — A participant in his late-70s in a workshop reviewing print and web content. During secondary telephone recruitment screening, we learned that he lived with some hearing loss. Consequently, it was even more important that we designed the session with small group sizes and a dedicated location free of distractions like background noise and chatter. These factors helped his attention stay focussed on content analysis and insights, rather than on the conversation itself.

Slides from talks with Babylon Health, NHS England and the DHSC about age, ageing and applied practical tips for user research with older populations.

Tags Inclusive Design, Usability Testing, User Research, User-Centred Design

Resources

User-centred design examples

Braille fail example. — The Braille label is not included on the light button on a patient remote. ...because people who use braille don't need to know that they're controlling lights(!). An example of inconsistency and exclusion in user interface design.

100+ good, bad and ugly user-centred design examples. A gallery curated in the real world and the social web.

Tags Built Environment, Inclusive Design, User-Centred Design

Contextual Inquiry — 8 typical patterns and issues

Contextual Inquiry in a call centre. Observing and listening in on a call.

8 common patterns, behaviours and issues seen during a contextual inquiry, with a focus on for enterprise software services and culture.

Tags Contextual Inquiry, User Research, User-Centred Design

Resources

Older People Digital Design Guidelines

Guideline heuristics for creating accessible digital content, interfaces and services for people who are older.

Tags Accessibility, dementiaUX, Inclusive Design, Older People, User Research, User-Centred Design

Empathy balloons — a game for inclusive design

Empathy Balloons Team Play — Alzheimer's Society Digital team trying to find, and sign-up to, an online dementia service.

A simple, cheap and engaging game to build empathy for people with diverse needs, especially those with cognitive and/or dexterity issues.

Tags Accessibility, Gamestorming, Inclusive Design, People, User-Centred Design

Resources

Dementia Digital Design Guidelines

Guideline heuristics for creating accessible digital content, interfaces and services for people living with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Tags dementiaUX, Inclusive Design, Older People, User Research, User-Centred Design

Resources

UX Labs in London. Spaces for usability testing and user research

UX Lab in London. © City University London — The control room at City Interaction Lab, probably the best value UX lab in London.

Prices, facilities and locations for UX labs in London. Spaces to hire for your own user research, creativity workshops, interaction design and usability testing.