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

In the next section, we will discuss participatory design as an example of UCD
All these approaches follow the ISO standard Human-centered design processes for
interactive systems.
3.5 PARTICIPATORY DESIGN
Participatory design is an approach to design that attempts to actively involve the end
users in the design process to help ensure that the product designed meets their needs and
is usable. It is also used in urban design, architecture, landscape architecture and planning
as a way of creating environments that are more responsive and appropriate to their
inhabitants and users cultural, emotional, spiritual and practical needs. It is important to
understand that this approach is focused on process and is not a design style. For some,
this approach has a political dimension of user empowerment and democratisation. For
others, it is seen as a way of abrogating design responsibility and innovation by
designers.
In participatory design end-users (putative, potential or future) are invited to cooperate
with researchers and developers during an innovation process. Potentially, they
participate during several stages of an innovation process: they participate during the
initial exploration and problem definition both to help define the problem and to focus
ideas for solution, and during development, they help evaluate proposed solutions.
Participatory design can be seen as a move of end-users into the world of researchers and
developers, whereas empathic design can be seen as a move of researchers and
developers into the world of end-users.
3.5.1 PARTICIPATORY DESIGN AND USER INTERFACE DESIGN
As mentioned earlier, is a concept of user-centered design and requires involving end
users in the design process. Previous researches have shown that user-centered approach
to interface design will enhance productivity. Users’ interests and active involvements are
the main focus of participatory design. Consequently, participatory approach is a key
design technique of user interface designer.
4.0 CONCLUSION
In this unit, you have been introduced to the User Centered Design (UCD), its purpose,
the major considerations and the various approaches in UCD. The concept of
participatory design was also introduced.
5.0 SUMMARY
You have learnt the following in this unit:-
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