>> Outline for "The User Centered Design (#UCD) and User Experience (#UX) of an Academic Department's Website" Conference Presentations...
Overview:
>> The purpose of this “Usability/UX Study” is to evaluate the end-to-end experience of our selected user groups as they interact with the SJSU #iSchool Website. Collecting this unique data will provide our INFO 298: Independent Studies team with the following:
Behavioral observations and insights into the current user experience.
Insights into design solutions on how to improve and strengthen the experience.
Baseline information on the current experience that can be used as a comparison for future online experiences.
>> This collaborative research study initiative will collect both qualitative and quantitative data to answer several key investigative questions, including:
Task completion - How well does the site support our users’ ability to accomplish key goals and tasks?
Navigation and information architecture – How does the site structure support users’ ability to accomplish their tasks? Can they navigate to where they want to go and accomplish their tasks quickly and efficiently? What pathways do they take?
Content and terminology – Do our users understand the content and does it help them accomplish their tasks?
Layout and visual design – What are our users’ impression of the visual design
Communication and site impressions - What are our users’ overall impressions of the site? Does it adequately communicate what our users can/are required to do with the site?
“Usability is about people and how they understand and use things, not about technology.” ― Steve Krug.
Objectives:
>> We will conduct a comprehensive “Usability/UX Study” by targeting customized surveys, focus group sessions, and one-on-one Zoom video conference interviews (including: interactive audio dialogue transcripts and user computer screen video captures) to gather important insights into our users’ performance and unmet needs. This collaborative case study will collect pertinent information such as task completion rates, time on task, navigation and content insights, overall satisfaction, areas of concern, and unmet needs.
The proposed usability test objectives for this ongoing group study are:
>> To determine design inconsistencies and usability problem areas within the user interface and content areas. Potential sources of error may include:
#Navigation errors – failure to locate functions, excessive keystrokes to complete a function, failure to follow recommended screen flow.
#Presentation errors – failure to locate and properly act upon desired information in screens, selection errors due to labeling ambiguities.
#Control usage problems – improper toolbar or entry field usage.
>> Exercise the website under controlled test conditions with representative users. Data will be used to assess whether usability goals regarding an effective, efficient, and well-received user interface have been achieved.
>> Establish baseline user performance and user-satisfaction levels of the user interface for future usability evaluations.
Project Plan:
>> Working specifically from the unique vantage-point of my assigned “Prospective Students” subset of the user population, I hope to accomplish the following tasks for ongoing research and analysis – ultimately providing rich interpretive insight within our collective group evaluations concerning the overall perception of usability and user experience at the SJSU #iSchool Website.
Projected Outcomes:
This outlined usability study will ultimately provide us with the following projected outcomes:
#Metrics. Objective and behavioral performance data that provides a usability baseline to measure future improvements.
#Audience insights. Actionable insights on how to optimize the user experience for all of our representative user groups and general online audiences.
#Actionable improvements. Concrete recommendations for improvements based on our collaborative research findings.
Professional Development:
>> The following activities will build upon my #MLIS trajectory working towards personal success – not only in this current usability case study, but also in expanding professional arenas for establishing career networking and increasing knowledge-based skills with Web Usability and User Experience (UX)… Furthermore, I also endeavor to:
>>Investigate potential roles within the proposed “#iSchool Usability/UX Learning Lab” in Silicon Valley.
>> Explore potential co-authoring opportunities for academic publication with peer-review (working alongside my group team members and Drs. Chow/Tucker).
>> Research aspirational possibilities in “UX Librarianship” and/or “Usability/UX Consultantship” for future availability of engaging internships and/or other employment opportunities in the field to continue my ongoing discovery process.
>> Attend and present at the “CLA Conference” in Sacramento (June 2-4).
>> Complete additional online certifications and seminar series including:
IxDF Web Design for Usability Certification >> (Completed)
IxDF Design Thinking: The Ultimate Guide Certification >> (Completed)
IxDF Design for the 21st Century with Don Norman >> (Completed)
IxDF Journey-Mapping Certification >> (In-Process)
Nielsen Norman Group University Websites: UX Essentials Webinar >> (In-Process)
LinkedIn Learning Seminars in UX Design and Research:
UX Foundations: Accessibility >> (Completed)
UX Foundations: Research >> (Completed)
UX Research Methods: Card Sorting >> (Completed)
UX Foundations: Making the Case for Usability Testing >> (Completed)
Udemy Coursework in UX Design and Research:
UX and Design Thinking: Quick Start >> (Completed)
More Continuing Education Opportunities TBD…
“Design is really an act of communication, which means having a deep understanding of the person with whom the designer is communicating.” ― Don Norman.