|
Good usability is invisible. Transparent. Seamless. Frankly, it’s only when usability is unsatisfying, frustrating, maddening, expletive inducing, that you really notice it. And for any product, when usage problems emerge, the prospect of failure begins to form. It’s not a pretty sight (or site). To achieve ideal usability, Mile7 uses a hybrid, multi-disciplinary approach that links information design and usability testing. We combine structural insight, smart communications design and best practices of usability engineering to create solutions of all kinds: corporate and e-commerce websites, online applications, and web-based products. Sounds simple enough. It isn’t. As initial concepts and designs are formulated, they are rigorously evaluated. Many are shot down. The ones with the greatest potential are refined, improved and tested. Throughout this iterative design process, a professional usability engineer is involved at every stage. Together, we design, evaluate, design, evaluate, design, test and launch. The Mile7 Usability Process Our usability engineering process involves two essential steps: initial research and compilation of critical user information, then usability testing at key points during the user interface design and development process. Step One: Research and Observation Our usability engineer leads the way in compiling key information that will influence the user interface design:
Step Two: Testing and Refinement Prospective user interface designs undergo rigorous usability testing using a variety of methods based on client and/or user needs:
These usability tests can be simple, or complex. We’ve worked with all of them, including tests using paper prototypes, UIs in any stage of development, or fully functioning products tested pre- or post-release. In short, our designs have been well-tested over time. The end product of our design work is optimum usability (and optimum client approval). Which is why so many clients opt for Mile7. |