ritchielee

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LeanUX advocate with a passion for meaningful conversations

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Photography: we've probably lost more than we've gained

Overheard a couple guys on the train the other day talking about photos, and how they used to shoot them and how it is nowadays. "Thing is" one says, "I used to take a lot of care over each shot, but now I just don't bother". I had a few thoughts about this UX wise. Convenience and low cost has made us less inclined to look was one; but maybe he's just older and not as inclined towards photography as he once was. The film process in some ways forced us to attempt to optimise our use and therefore to care. Unrolling and fitting a new film required care; as did extracting them. I definitely enjoyed my time mastering the Pentax K1000, but more than that; I can remember how it felt to get the best from it. Now, like a lot of us (and the two guys), I shoot on a few digital devices including a Nikon DSLR but feel engulfed rather than engaged. Quantity over quality I guess; and low cost equates to throwaway. I know there are some who take their digital gear and their photography seriously but for most of us, we've probably lost more than we've gained.

Filed under  //  digital   photography   ux  
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Do you understand that customers may know more about your system than you?

You do? okay then. You know that to make your system better, you need to tap that thought.

They go about the system in ways you wouldn't, they know the ins, outs, feelings and nuances. There are small problems and irritations, tiny frustrations and maybe a big problem or two. You're going to tap that right? or you already do; you know how to ask those open questions that allow people to talk about their day and how they dip into your product. You know how to elicit those passionate feelings. You know how to find out what they make of it all and discover the pain points. You then know how to take that away, think about what it really means and how to interpret those thoughts.

So then you've really understood, shown empathy and your next iteration will rock, and I salute you.

Filed under  //  customers   research   ux  
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Consistency: A couple examples which stem the flow

Consider the flow you can attain when juggling several tasks on several websites and you arrive at Paypal for some reason. Hopefully it's to withdraw to your bank account, but first you have to login (our primary task). The highlighted button is to Sign Up, the Login button is below it in a muted gray. Now I always have to adjust my thoughts to make sure I go for Login. I'm drawn to Sign Up subconciously because it's orange hue is so enticing. My experience here is that I need to be wary when visiting Paypal so I click the right thing. The experience is switched when I do get inside - primary functions such as Submit are now Orange. The lack of consistency with web conventions and within itself need ironing out.

I always like to spot real life example as I go about my day. One that doesn't feel right is good service announcements on the London Underground. You are interrupted to be told "Here is a service update - all lines are running a good service". As most announcements are for delays or disruption most people make an effort to listen. If all is good then it should just be. You are running a service, I shouldn't have to be reminded you managed to get it right - I know; a waiter doesn't say "did you see the way I poured that wine, flawless, not a drip".

Filed under  //  consistency   ui   ux   web design  
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