My experience with designing for UX

What is user experience design? I suppose it is a way of differentiation amidst all other similar products, considering how technological imitation is a breeze, with the technological progress we have now.

It was only after this project that I started to appreciate the attention to details for a system to work out right, both technically, and even more so for the user experience. I don't know why; perhaps it is due to human nature of not seeing our own faults or the variance of human cognition, but the responses of users were not always what I had imagined. I initially thought content would be more important than aesthetics; surveys revealed this. However, when presented with the actual prototype, users started to place much emphasis on aesthetics and design rather than content. Looks like users of today really look for a 'wow' factor in products and not just the functionalities.

I felt that in-depth interviews were a great help as some interviewees provided very good and quirky ideas that would make the site a pleasure and surprise to use. I also found that there are advantages to measuring responses from both friends and strangers. With strangers, you get responses from people who think more differently from you (as friends can start having interests/ thoughts etc more similar to each other). But with friends you can get more frank responses if they do not like your site. Being polite, users may not wish to criticise your product, especially when they do not know you well.

During the user testing, I also noted that users tended to reply with very personal (which equates to uncontrollable) comments like how the colour happens to be their favourite colour so they love it, This got me thinking about how designing for user experience is a paradox as cognition of users are very subjective and specific; designing perfectly for one alienates the others. Hence, no one design can fit every single individual to a 'T' even within target groups. I think the best alternative would be to strike a balance between targeting a niche market and providing for the masses; by having design and features that are unique yet have 'potential' mass appeal. I say potential because we cannot ignore the importance of the 'in' crowd. Sometimes, user experience may not be as 'unique' as users would like to think. Something that originally would not have appealed to someone can suddenly become appealing as user experience is also influenced by external forces like peer and 'in- group' pressure (social forces). Hence, one way to go about designing for user experience can also be to target a niche market that is the 'in' and influential crowd as advanced users, and letting these advanced users lead and pave the way for majority of novice users who are compelled to want this same 'cool' product.

In the fleeting world of today, novelties come and go. It is hence a challenge to avoid letting the 'wow' factor come from only initial one-time surprises that fade with increased exposure. I felt that the customisation concept underlying SHmile itself contributes to a sustainable user experience in the long-run, giving it a timeless quality. Although we initially played with the idea of giving SHmile character through a smiley mascot, we realised that character is not a literal thing, but more metaphorical; like the characteristic 'feel' that the product gives.

All in all, as user experience can be such a subjective thing, this means that there can be more than one approach to user experience design, user testing and evaluation is of utmost importance, and lastly, do not be afraid of treading on unexplored territory or extracting new concepts within the familiar, as it is often the very novel concepts or simplest ideas building up on familiarity that power the design of successful products. Also, minimalist is the new black. So keep functions to the bare minimum for stimulation and pleasure! (think iPod without a radio function)