Design Principles

Aesthetics

Aesthetics in product design refers to the visual appeal and attractiveness of a product. It encompasses elements like colour, shape, texture, and overall design harmony.

Key Considerations for Aesthetics:

• Colour: Use colour theory to choose appealing and appropriate colours.
• Shape: Design forms that are visually pleasing and functionally relevant.
• Texture: Incorporate materials that enhance both appearance and tactile experience.

Example: Apple’s products are known for their sleek, minimalist aesthetic, which uses clean lines, simple shapes, and a limited colour palette to create a high-end, modern look.

Functionality

Functionality ensures that a product performs its intended purpose efficiently and effectively. It involves designing for practical use and user needs.

Key Aspects of Functionality:

• Ease of Use: Design intuitive interfaces and controls.
• Durability: Choose materials and construction methods that withstand regular use.
• Efficiency: Ensure the product performs its function with minimal effort or resources.

Example: The Swiss Army Knife is a functional product designed to perform multiple tasks efficiently. Each tool is designed for specific functions like cutting, opening bottles, or tightening screws, making it a versatile and practical tool.

Usability

Usability focuses on how easily and effectively users can interact with a product. Good usability enhances user satisfaction and reduces errors.

Usability Principles:

• Learnability: How quickly users can understand how to use the product.
• Efficiency: How quickly users can perform tasks.
• Memorability: How easily users can remember how to use the product after a period of not using it.
• Error Prevention: How well the product prevents user errors and how it helps users recover from errors.
• Satisfaction: How enjoyable the product is to use.

Example: The user interface of Google’s search engine is highly usable, with a simple, clean design that makes it easy for users to perform searches efficiently.

User-Centred Design

User Research

User Research involves understanding the needs, behaviours, and motivations of your target audience through various research methods.

Methods of User Research:

• Interviews: Conduct one-on-one interviews to gather in-depth insights.
• Surveys: Distribute questionnaires to collect data from a larger audience.
• Observation: Observe users in their natural environment to understand how they interact with products.

Example: A company developing a new cooking appliance might conduct user research by interviewing home cooks, surveying culinary enthusiasts, and observing how people use kitchen tools in real-life settings.

Persona Development

Persona Development creates detailed profiles of ideal users based on research data. Personas help guide design decisions by representing key user segments.

Components of a Persona:

• Demographics: Age, gender, income, education, etc.
• Psychographics: Interests, values, lifestyle.
• Behavioural: Habits, preferences, goals.

Example: For a fitness app, a persona might be “Emily, a 30-year-old professional who enjoys running and uses technology to track her workouts and progress.”

Usability Testing

Usability Testing involves evaluating a product by testing it with real users to identify usability issues and gather feedback.

Steps for Usability Testing:

• Plan the Test: Define objectives, tasks, and success criteria.
• Recruit Participants: Select users who match your target personas.
• Conduct the Test: Observe and record how participants use the product.
• Analyse Results: Identify patterns, issues, and areas for improvement.
• Iterate: Make changes based on feedback and re-test.

Example: A company developing a new mobile app might conduct usability testing by asking users to complete specific tasks, such as creating an account or setting up a profile, and observing where they encounter difficulties.

Ergonomics and Usability

Physical Ergonomics

Physical Ergonomics focuses on designing products that fit the physical needs and capabilities of users, reducing strain and discomfort.

Key Considerations for Physical Ergonomics:

• Comfort: Design for comfortable use over extended periods.
• Accessibility: Ensure the product can be used by people with varying physical abilities.
• Safety: Minimise the risk of injury or strain.

Example: An ergonomic office chair is designed to support the natural posture of the human body, with adjustable features like seat height, lumbar support, and armrests to reduce strain during long periods of sitting.

Cognitive Ergonomics

Cognitive Ergonomics addresses how well a product supports mental processes such as perception, memory, and decision-making.

Key Principles of Cognitive Ergonomics:

• Simplicity: Reduce cognitive load by minimising complexity.
• Consistency: Use familiar patterns and conventions.
• Feedback: Provide clear, immediate feedback for user actions.

Example: A user-friendly software interface uses consistent icons and terminology, offers clear instructions, and provides immediate feedback when users perform actions like saving a file or completing a transaction.

Usability Standards

Usability Standards are guidelines and best practices for designing products that are easy to use and accessible to a wide range of users.

Examples of Usability Standards:

• ISO 9241: International standard for ergonomics of human-system interaction.
• WCAG: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines for making web content accessible to people with disabilities.
• Nielsen’s Usability Heuristics: Ten general principles for user interface design.

Example: A website designed according to WCAG standards includes features like text alternatives for images, keyboard accessibility, and sufficient color contrast to ensure it is usable by people with visual impairments.