The Value of Design: Making User Experience Meaningful
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Chapter 1: Understanding 'Valuable' in Design
Let’s delve into the concept of “valuable,” which is the final dimension in the seven-part framework of user experience. If you missed my discussion on the previous dimension, feel free to check it out here.
Context and Examples
The various dimensions we've explored must be balanced depending on the context and should not be viewed in isolation. However, the idea of what constitutes “value” is straightforward and essential.
On one side, it should be aligned with the company’s return on investment (ROI), while on the other, it needs to relate to the user's return on experience (ROE). The design of your product or website should yield measurable and sustainable advantages, such as:
- Increased sales
- Enhanced operational efficiency
- Boosted productivity
- Reduced operational and maintenance expenses
- Reuse of existing components and infrastructure
- Improved brand visibility and networking opportunities
These factors collectively contribute to the value of your product or site. Ultimately, “shared” value between the business and its users is crucial for lasting sustainability.
Identifying Valuable Designs
It can be challenging to pinpoint examples of “valuable” websites since the notion of value varies greatly across different businesses and user communities. For instance, software developers might find technology forums invaluable, while teenagers may derive value from gaming or music platforms.
However, I will attempt to highlight some universally valuable sites that many users, regardless of their category or industry, rely on:
- YouTube
- Wikipedia
- Gmail
- Amazon
What Comes Next?
To sum up, our websites and products must provide tangible value to both customers and sponsors. For non-profit organizations, the user experience should support their mission; for profit-driven entities, it should enhance the bottom line while ensuring customer satisfaction.
Copyright © 2022 Vishal Mehta. All Rights Reserved.
Thank you for reading! I hope you found my insights on the various dimensions of user experience beneficial.
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Chapter 2: The Challenge of Design Improvement
In this video, titled "Why Some Designs Are Impossible to Improve," we explore the inherent challenges in enhancing certain designs.
Chapter 3: Rethinking Design Thinking
In "Natasha Jen: Design Thinking is Bullsh*t," we examine the critiques surrounding conventional design thinking methodologies.