User Centered Spaces

User-Centered design

A user-centered design system is one of various database design options that are a vital part of an information organization system. In a user-centered design the user’s needs are directly involved in the system design process, the design plays a vital role in the definition of said product, the testing of design concepts and the finally in the validation of the final design. (Kemnitzer 2005). This brief discuss how user- centered design works, enables readers to understand the purpose of a User Centered Design system, identifies y issues that affect system design and describes how user-centered design system leads to a user-friendly design. Examples highlight how user-centered design improves creative concepts and leads to a user-friendly design.

A user-centered design is an information system that should have real context and be aware of the users needs. “The purpose of a library catalog, as stated by Charles C. Cutter in Rules for a Dictionary Catalog (1904), later modified by Bohdan S. Wynar in Introduction to Cataloging and Classification (8th ed., 1992), is to offer the user a variety of approaches or access points to the information contained in the collection.” As given by the Online Dictionary of Library and Information Science (Reitz, 2005), user-centered design is demonstrated by an online catalog that is designed with the user needs involved in the design process.

User Centered design is the process of collecting data from users, generating feedback in the form of information and then delivering that information to the designers. (Salvo, 2001). Basically this type of design is the type of product design that best supports the user’s needs and expectations.

For many years user-centered design has referred to a design that includes users in the design process. This process occurs after the technology has been developed and released to the public. This process focuses on the impact of the technology on the users (Nesset 2005). This generally leads to an improvement of the technology or on a complete redesign of the system in place. Although there are many tools to creating a users-centered design, some of the methods employed in user-centered design are 1. observation and analysis of user 2. system logs, 3. written surveys and 4.analysis of work done with users.

When the researchers implement the design they first make an observation and analysis of the user: users’ needs are defined and designers evaluate the user, patterns are looked for in relation to the various system tools, tasks are looked at and an outline of the interface is done. There is a revision of the technology through survey with the users, which may include interviews informal evaluations, and questionnaires and finally there is an analysis of work with users through evaluations and revisions.

Researchers are looking for change in the use of technology; such as how quickly a user performs a task, if there are differences in their content knowledge and if there are changes in their use of the system. The designers accomplish their work in a timely manner because they maintain control over the whole process.

User feedback has indicated that there are usability problems with the whole search process. Developing an understanding of Metadata and how it is retrieved is a problem for users. “Data analysis focused on usability –specifically task structure, duration, user perception and research observations.” (Abe 2005).

Inclusive Universal Design

This type of design basically accommodates a wide variety of users, thereby increasing the chance of a successful product, For example, people with disabilities such as blindness, those with epilepsy and the wheelchair bound may not be able to operate the same system as well as other user and universal design addresses their particular needs while simultaneously maintaining service to non-disabled users.

Multiple Language Scripts

There is a critical need for user-centered design for those individuals whose language varies from the majority. As global borders become smaller, users are continuously being asked to interact with others whose native tongue may be not their own, and there has to be an accommodation for those users. With the development of the Universal Code – systems are able to display records in other characters such as Chinese or Japanese.

Spell Check

There have been other uses identified for users such as spelling correction. If spell-check were to be part of the search process, users would not be as frustrated and get better results. There are some search engines that asks the user if he meant an alternative spelling if the user did not type the word correctly, if a catalog had the ability to spell-check the users would not be as frustrated with the system.

There has been an explosion of information available among online resources and a higher demand for database design systems to include electronic resources, information objects, as well as print materials. Although there is a vast amount of information available much of it has not met the informational needs of users because it is difficult to access. System designers cannot continue to ignore the fact that users need to play a vital role and must be more involved in the design process.



References

Abe, C., Greenberg, J. Usability of a metadata creation application for resource authors, Library & Information Science Research, Volume 27, Issue 2, Spring 2005, Pages 177-189. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ [Accessed 1 March 2009].

Kemnitzer, R. “Are you Talking to Me?” -- Teaching User-Centered Design.
Technology Teacher; Feb 2005, Vol. 64 Issue 5, p14-16.
Nesset, V., Large, A. Children in the information technology design process: A review of theories and
their applications, Library & Information Science Research, Volume 26, Issue 2, Spring 2004, Pages
140-161. Available:http://www.sciencedirect.com [Accessed 2 March 2009].

Reitz, Joan M. 2005. ODLIS: Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science. [online]
Available: http://lu.com/odlis/index.cfm [Accessed 1 March 2009].

Salvo, M. Ethics of Engagement: User –centered design and rhetorical methodology, technical Communication Quarterly. Summer 2001. Vol. 10 less. 3: pg.273, 18 pgs.

Taylor, A. G. (1999). The organization of information. Library and information science text series. Englewood, Colo: Libraries Unlimited.