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Usability Foundations

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Usability in the Real World

2:35 with Dan Gorgone

No matter where you are, good design improves experiences. So, if you're still curious about how to define usability, let's step out of the web for a moment and look at some real life examples.

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    If you're still curious about how to define usability, 0:00
    let's step out of the Web for a moment and look at some real life examples. 0:03
    We should be able to spot some similarities to online design 0:07
    because no matter where you are, good design improves experiences. 0:10
    Let's take a look at the climate control on the dashboard of a car— 0:16
    this model features a knob that you can turn to set the temperature inside the car. 0:20
    Using colors, users can see that if you turn the knob one way 0:26
    the temperature will get cooler; the other way will raise the temperature. 0:29
    Newer car models reduce the guess work 0:34
    and allow users to set an exact temperature. 0:36
    However, present too many knobs or controls 0:39
    and the functionality of the interface becomes confusing— 0:42
    you're not sure what to push or turn or move. 0:46
    Therefore, a balance must be struck, and you can bet 0:48
    car companies do many rounds of testing to ensure the interface 0:52
    is intuitive and effective. 0:56
    Here's another example—buildings are required by law 0:59
    to have exit signs placed throughout each floor. 1:03
    Safety is one of the central goals behind this design; 1:07
    therefore, it's important for people to understand the meaning 1:10
    of the sign when they see it. 1:13
    When an exit door is near, the exit sign is placed above it. 1:16
    Because of the proximity, people can be expected to associate 1:20
    the meaning of the sign—an emergency exit—with the door below it. 1:23
    If a door is not close by, exit signs also have built-in arrows 1:29
    that can be used to provide a visual cue. 1:33
    And lastly, these signs need to work at all times, 1:36
    so they're visible during the day and they light up at night 1:40
    to be seen during darker hours. 1:44
    The exit sign can be considered a real life call-to-action of sorts; 1:47
    if you need to find an exit for the building you're in, 1:51
    the sign tells you where to go. 1:53
    The same could be said for many important buttons on websites. 1:55
    If you want to find out more information on a certain topic, 1:59
    the corresponding menu item is what you would click. 2:02
    On a mobile app, the clearly labeled button is what you would touch. 2:06
    So, look around where you are right now 2:10
    and you'll notice some elements of design 2:12
    that went into the room you're sitting in, 2:15
    or the car you drive, or even your phone. 2:17
    Good design should make things easier to do. 2:20
    But the best design is so intuitive, it's often not even noticed by the people that use them. 2:24
    Consider this as you work on your own website and app in the future. 2:30

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