Lessons Learnt From NM4210

NM4210 gave me a new perspective on User Design. I have learned about user design from an engineering point of view, but this course offered a more general approach to user design. The concepts taught were general and could be applied to all forms user design. I learned a lot about specific techniques which helped the brainstorming process and testing of ideas. Some of these techniques I found very effective and would use them in future design projects. At the end of the day though, most of these techniques simply presented new ways to organize the thought process and gather information. I always knew that interviews, user testing and evaluation were important, however these steps were done using different and sometimes less formal techniques. That is not to say that those ways were wrong and in the realm of user design, the best technique is simply the one that creates the best end experience.

One of the most valuable things in the final project was in the weekly presentations and feedback received. This advice really helped bring certain issues to light that were overlooked by the group. Again, while this feedback was not a formal technique taught, it proved to be very useful. Overall though, I think this course taught me to understand the concept of user design better. I am now more aware of the importance of design in everyday life and find myself picking out good and bad examples all of the time. When I look back at assignment 0, it would be a lot easier to do that assignment today!

Anything that one creates which involves human interaction has a user experience. It can be from software development to opening a restaurant. Understanding your user and providing a good experience is an important part of any successful product or service.