''In broad terms, user-centered design (UCD) or pervasive usability is a design philosophy and a process in which the needs, wants, and limitations of end users of a product 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 a product, but also to test the validity of their assumptions with regards to user behaviour in real world tests with actual users'' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User-centered_designI found this concept really interesting; rather than focusing on what might be considered a secondary issue such as aesthetics, or using the latest technology, this philosopher focuses on users needs throughout the design process. Method can be loosely broken down into:
- Specifying the user and requirements
- Understanding and specifying the context of use
- Producing designs and prototypes
- Carrying out user testing for best solution
- Test best solution, fix
- Then text again
- User Evaluation
I found a really interesting explanation of UCD on-line, rather than reading reams of dull information, an explanation in the form of a fable helped me to understand the concept. http://www.userfocus.co.uk/pdf/fable.pdf
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