Usability Testing Tips for Enterprise Software
While usability testing is now standard practice in consumer software development, enterprise software still poses challenges for those seeking to conduct usability testing, including
- Limited pool of customers
- Domain knowledge needed
- Customer gatekeepers
- Customer configurations, roles and permissions
UX Guidelines for Error Handling
Error handling is too often an overlooked aspect of UX design.
Why Your App Will Probably Fail
When clients tell me they want to make an app, the question I ask is: why?
Designing for a Juicier Web
The first book I bought on web design, in 1998, was The Principles of Web Design by Jeffrey Veen.
How to Make Unforgettable PowerPoint Presentations
Imagine the scene. It’s Friday night. It’s been a long, hard week.
How I Made a Rapid Android Wear Prototype Using Balsamiq and Pixate
The video above shows a simple prototype for an Android Wear app, running on an an LG G watch R, which I created within a few hours of coming up with the concept — with ZERO CODING.
It doesn’t matter how it got this way. Just fix it.
Initial client meeting Client: “We’d like you to conduct user testing of our website.”
How the Daily Mail Broke All the UX Rules — and Became A Global Success
When I was hired to undertake a UX review of The Irish Times, I researched the online news sector for examples of best practices.
You’ve Done the Usability Testing, Now What?
After you’ve done usability testing, or got user feedback of any kind, what should you work on?
Getting From Prototype to Product
I’ve written previous posts about how I use Balsamiq Mockups to create wireframes and prototypes, and my methods for usability testing.
How I Use Balsamiq Mockups
Update May 2015 I wrote this article when I was using the old version of Balsamiq Mockups, now known as “Balsamiq 2”.
10 Ways to Make Clients Love Usability Testing
Introduction Many of my clients have never previously carried out usability testing.
Case Study: safefood
Background safefood is an all-island implementation body set up under the British-Irish Agreement with a general remit to promote awareness and knowledge of food safety and nutrition issues on the island of Ireland.
Happy Shapes Takes Off
In January, I wrote about my experience creating a new Android HTML5 game app, which I called Happy Shapes.
Infographics are Fun, Spreadsheets are Accurate
I recently completed a fascinating usability study with the help of Dr.
Happy Shapes – My First Android App
Last night I released Happy Shapes – a FREE Android game for kids Play the game now on desktop at newskoolgames.com
Launch of UXPA Ireland
For the last couple of months, I’ve been involved with establishing the Irish Chapter of the User Experience Professionals Association (UXPA).
Dropping the Royal “We”
I have had my own business for almost 10 years now.
Usable Search Results – Better Than Jakob Nielsen?
Usability guru Jakob Nielsen says the number one usability mistake in web design is bad search.
Terms and Conditions Must Die
Comedian Eddie Izzard has a hilarious routine about ticking the “I have read the terms and conditions” box.
Small Screens, Big Fingers
In the age of the smartphone, tablet, and other touch screen electronic devices, is this the end of the physical (non-virtual) keyboard?
The Difference Between UX and Usability
People sometimes ask, “what’s the difference between user experience (UX) and usability?”.
1st Rule of Mobile Web UX – Detect The Device
Some companies spend too much time and money on mobile apps; and not enough time considering their mobile web presence.
Increase Conversions with Better Usability
When your website is not achieving its projected sales targets, your first instinct will probably be “get more traffic”.
Ireland Estonia Tickets: Bad Experience – Design or Intent?
A supermarket likes to keep the milk and bread at the back, so customers will browse other items on the way.
The Usability of Infographics
Web designers everywhere are adding ‘infographics’ to their list of services.
DoneDeal — Immediately Effective
When I arrive at any website, I know what I don’t want.
UX and Data Visualization Software
Data, data, everywhere. It comes from public bodies, social networks, personal devices, healthcare systems, media sources, etc.
When Banks Can’t Speak English
I’ve been using Allied Irish Bank’s personal online banking service for years and, while it was ropey in the beginning, in recent years the usability has improved.
Inline Validation Made Easy
Update August 2015: Of course, now HTML5 lets you validate forms without the need for any JavaScript.
Why Wireframes Love Comic Sans
The Comic Sans font has often been derided as the font choice of amateurs, but it is useful for creating mockups.