User Interface Design and Ergonomics - National Open University of ...

MODULE 2
UNIT 3 USER CENTERED DESIGN (UCD)
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Objectives
3.0 Main Content
3.1 Introduction to UCD
3.2 Purpose of UCD
3.3 Major Considerations of UCD
3.4 UCD Approaches
3.5 Participatory Design
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
6.0 Tutor Marked Assignment
7.0 Further Reading and Other Resources
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Reading through this unit, you will be introduced to User Centered Design (UCD), its
purpose, the major considerations and the various approaches in UCD. The concept of
participatory design will also be introduced.
2.0 OBJECTIVES
By the end this unit, you should be able to:
o Explain the term User Centered Design
o Describe the various purpose of UCD.
o Highlights the major considerations and various approaches in UCD.
o Describe concept of participatory design.
3.0 MAIN CONTENT
3.1 INTRODUCTION TO USER-CENTERED DESIGN
User-centered design (UCD) is a design philosophy and a process in which the needs,
wants, and limitations of the end user of an interface or document are given extensive
attention at each stage of the design process. User-centered design can be characterized as
a multi-stage problem solving process that not only requires designers to analyze and
foresee how users are likely to use an interface, but also to test the validity of their
assumptions with regards to user behaviour in real world tests with actual users. Such
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