I’m seeing an interesting trend here in Perth. Recently, job adverts and recruiters looking for Test Analysts to do usability and accessibility testing as part of their duties. Now this is a good thing in a way.
At least the traditional roles of the IT software project are understanding the need for usability and accessibility testing in web and general software projects. I guess something is better than nothing, right?
Well maybe not.
Any business needs to present itself in its best possible light to its customers.
With a new customer every aspect of the business is on display, under review constantly as the customer gains the confidence in that business. From the website, initial customer contact to service provision.
We have all done this, be it from the corner shop, a local cafe, a hotel, to ordering things online. It’s pretty much a given isn’t it, the initial user experience is everything. Or is it?
Recently I came across what was a very bad initial customer experience – not that they aren’t that hard to find.
The other day we came across a web site that shows all the things that are wrong with a good deal of e-commerce sites on the web.
A little background, we were looking for education books for our youngest child - so why not look online. You know, from the convenience of our own home and all that. So on the recommendation of a friend we went to a local publishers web site.
This site in question does children and adult education books, judging from the home page I would say that they are focusing on an adult market, from young parents to grandparents.
I was having a discussion the other day with some fellow web designer friends on the skills that you required to be stay in this field long term.
Sure we all agreed you need to at least have the core design skills, understanding of layout, colour theory, typography and the usual tricks of the trade. The platform that you used to deliver your designs was immaterial, be that Photoshop, Illustrator, Fireworks or the like it didn’t really matter, the end result was what was important. That’s a given.
Gary Barber
I'm an independent User Experience Designer. I design and enhance complete web user experiences (websites), usable web interfaces, build web architectures, prototypes, conduct usability & accessibility tests or audits.
I just make your websites better than they are.
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