User experience (UX) can be defined as all the experiences (physical, sensory, emotional and mental) that a person has when interacting with a digital tool.
The field of UX is full of similar-sounding jargon, so here’s a quick guide to the terms you should know.
User experience (UX)is the overall satisfaction a user gets from interacting with a product or digital tool.
User experience design (UXD, sometimes UED) is the process of applying proven principles, techniques and features to a digital tool to create and optimism the user experience.
User-centred design (UCD)is the design philosophy that priorities the user’s needs and wants above all else, and places the user at the center of the entire experience. This often entails research and testing with real users of the site or product.
User interface (UI)is the user-facing part of the tool or platform – the part of the actual website, application or tool that the user interacts with. Usability means how user friendly, efficient and slick the digital product is.
Online UX can be divided into two broad categories:
1. Functional UX. This covers the elements of the user experience that relate to actually using the tool – such as working technical elements, navigation, search and links.
2. Creative UX. This is the bigger, harder-to-define impression created by the tool – the so-called ‘wow’ factor that covers visual and creative elements.
There are six qualities that make up good UX:
• Findability – can I find it easily? Does it appear high up in the search results?
• Accessibility – can I use it when I need it? Does it work on my mobile phone, or on a slow Internet connection? Can I use it as a disabled person?
• Desirability– do I want to use it? Is it a pleasant experience, or do I dread logging in?
• Usability – is it easy to use? Are the tools I need intuitive and easy to find?
• Credibility– do I trust it? Is this website legitimate?
• Usefulness– does it add value to me? Will I get something out of the time I spend interacting with it?
