Module 1: An Introduction to Usability and User Experience Design
Readings for Module 1/Week 1 of Class
Required Readings on Usability
Reading 1: Usability 101: Introduction to Usability -- The Nielsen Norman Group (NN/g) is one of the best-known usability and UXD organizations in the United States and also publishes free-access, online resources on these areas. NN/g is often considered an authority on practices in usability and UXD. This reading examines how this organization views these topics.
Reading 2: What is Usability? -- This entry by the European organization Usability Net provides another example of how a professional organization defines usability and design. Consider how these definitions connect to international standards (i.e., guidelines for how organizations in different nations should approach a topic or process) -- specifically, ISO 9241-11. This entry reveals factors affecting how usability and UXD are defined and practiced around the world and factors that can cause change in these areas. To better understand these connections, read this entry and the text for ISO 9241-11.
Reading 3: What is Usability? -- This article by the Australian design and communication firm step two presents a definition of usability and reviews central practices and research approaches in usability and UXD practices. The entry (while long) is a good summary of the topics we will review -- and that we will practice -- in this class.
Reading 4: What Does Usability Mean -- Whitney Quesenbery is one of the US's best-known experts in usability and UXD and is often asked to clarify usability and UXD factors. This entry is a reading many individuals in technical communication use to define and to guide usability practices for the design and revision of products (e.g., documents, web pages, apps, etc.). After you read this entry, consider also reading the entry Crossing the Chasm for an example of how other members of the field have defined usability and UXD practices in other fields and professions. (Note: Crossing the Chasm is a suggested vs. a required reading.)
Required Readings on User Experience Design
Reading 1: About UX -- The User Experience Professionals Association (UXPA) is one of the world's largest professional associations in usability and user experience design. Originally founded as the Usability Professionals Association (UPA), an organization dedicated to usability, the group shifted its focus -- and changed its name -- over time as the field moved toward different practices that would come to be known as user experience design. Today, the group focuses on UXD and provides resources on this area. This reading is the UXPA's definition of UXD. Also read the related entries (found on this same page) for
Reading 2: What is UX Design? -- How UXD is defined and practiced can vary from person to person within the field, and it can be important to understand how influential members of the UXD field perceive this area. This entry from the organization User Testing notes how 15 UXD experts define the field and what it entails. As you review this entry, consider how the ideas presented compare to ideas on UXD and usability in the other readings for this Module.
Reading 3: The Difference Between UX and UI Design -- The focus on "design" in UXD can lead to confusion over how design practices and product designs are connected to UXD. This factor means UXD professionals must oftenexplain what they do in relation to other design areas such as user interface (UI) design. These discussions can provide insights on what UXD is and the practices associated with it. This article by the online training clearinghouse CareerFoundary uses a comparative approach to discuss what UXD is, practices associated with it, and sources for gaining skills to advancing in this field. (Consider how this entry compares to the ideas in the earlier UXPA entry on About UX.)
Reading 1: Usability 101: Introduction to Usability -- The Nielsen Norman Group (NN/g) is one of the best-known usability and UXD organizations in the United States and also publishes free-access, online resources on these areas. NN/g is often considered an authority on practices in usability and UXD. This reading examines how this organization views these topics.
Reading 2: What is Usability? -- This entry by the European organization Usability Net provides another example of how a professional organization defines usability and design. Consider how these definitions connect to international standards (i.e., guidelines for how organizations in different nations should approach a topic or process) -- specifically, ISO 9241-11. This entry reveals factors affecting how usability and UXD are defined and practiced around the world and factors that can cause change in these areas. To better understand these connections, read this entry and the text for ISO 9241-11.
Reading 3: What is Usability? -- This article by the Australian design and communication firm step two presents a definition of usability and reviews central practices and research approaches in usability and UXD practices. The entry (while long) is a good summary of the topics we will review -- and that we will practice -- in this class.
Reading 4: What Does Usability Mean -- Whitney Quesenbery is one of the US's best-known experts in usability and UXD and is often asked to clarify usability and UXD factors. This entry is a reading many individuals in technical communication use to define and to guide usability practices for the design and revision of products (e.g., documents, web pages, apps, etc.). After you read this entry, consider also reading the entry Crossing the Chasm for an example of how other members of the field have defined usability and UXD practices in other fields and professions. (Note: Crossing the Chasm is a suggested vs. a required reading.)
Required Readings on User Experience Design
Reading 1: About UX -- The User Experience Professionals Association (UXPA) is one of the world's largest professional associations in usability and user experience design. Originally founded as the Usability Professionals Association (UPA), an organization dedicated to usability, the group shifted its focus -- and changed its name -- over time as the field moved toward different practices that would come to be known as user experience design. Today, the group focuses on UXD and provides resources on this area. This reading is the UXPA's definition of UXD. Also read the related entries (found on this same page) for
- UX in Practice
- What is a User Experience Professional?
- How Do I Get Started with UX?
- What is the Code of Conduct for US Professionals?
Reading 2: What is UX Design? -- How UXD is defined and practiced can vary from person to person within the field, and it can be important to understand how influential members of the UXD field perceive this area. This entry from the organization User Testing notes how 15 UXD experts define the field and what it entails. As you review this entry, consider how the ideas presented compare to ideas on UXD and usability in the other readings for this Module.
Reading 3: The Difference Between UX and UI Design -- The focus on "design" in UXD can lead to confusion over how design practices and product designs are connected to UXD. This factor means UXD professionals must oftenexplain what they do in relation to other design areas such as user interface (UI) design. These discussions can provide insights on what UXD is and the practices associated with it. This article by the online training clearinghouse CareerFoundary uses a comparative approach to discuss what UXD is, practices associated with it, and sources for gaining skills to advancing in this field. (Consider how this entry compares to the ideas in the earlier UXPA entry on About UX.)
Other Module 1/Week 1 Materials
To access other materials for Module 1/Week 1, click on the related link below