| | | Usability + Design + Smart Devices = GeneXus Ev2! |
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| In line with the recent World Usability Day (November 10), we reflect about the interaction between interfaces, design and communication, immersed in the multiplatform universe of Web applications and mobile devices. |
The trend is unstoppable: by 2015, people will access the Internet mostly from mobile phones. For this reason, one of the main topics addressed during the World Usability Day and in honor of Steve Jobs (organized in Uruguay by Concreta at ORT University) was the relationship between design –both in Web or native apps– and ease of use, in a scenario that also includes the multiple platforms in which users will interact.
Having to choose between usability and looks would be a false dilemma because a website, Web app or native app must all be exquisitely designed and easy to use. That was the premise for the panelists who shared their expertise and ideas at the World Usability Day.
How can the right balance between usability and design be achieved?For Sebastián Blanco, Director of Complot Publicidad, the key lies in the terms we use to talk about the recipients of our work: while developers think about them as “users”, communicators consider them their “target audience”. Creating a Web page is a communication activity in itself, and the most obvious feature is what the brand conveys. In this sense, if I’m browsing a complex-looking portal I get the impression that this brand is complex.
In Blanco's opinion, the challenge of designing a Web portal is to adequately combine communication and usability. In order to achieve optimum usability, I have to take into account who my target audience is, as well as their characteristics, how they think and what they use. At the same time, this mustn't work separately from the brand's message and spirit.
Presentation made by Sebastián Blanco at World Usability Day (spanish)
Why is it that an object or Web site look & feel is an essential trait of usability? According to Gabriel Pasarisa, Professor and Webmaster at ORT University, usability is relative to a certain user, context and the activity to be undertaken, but: “When we design an object that will be used and also serves a communication purpose, by giving it an appealing design we are greatly improving usability. The reason is that if it is attractive, people will want to interact with it.”
Usability also is, in Pasarisa’s own words, to think about the positive interactions of daily life that allow us to easily achieve our goals.
“Common sense is the least common of all senses” said in his presentation Avedis Boudakian, Account Director at The Electric Factory, in line with J. Nielsen's perspective that applying usability is to think about the obvious, and that it is best achieved by using common sense and making interaction as simple as possible.
But, by oversimplifying, don’t we run the risk of loosing appeal? That’s the question.
Boudakian proposes that design should take the following characteristics into account:
- User-friendly interaction process that inherently helps users learn about the platform.
- Satisfying, memorable user experience.
- Contents presented in an attractive manner, using as few words as possible.
Following the last suggestion made by Avedis, which is to avoid wordiness, at the end of this review of World Usability Day we’d like to remind you about two presentations given at the XXI GeneXus Meeting on application development for smart devices with GeneXus Evolution 2 (beta 4), the importance of usability and their design.
Usability and design with GeneXus Evolution 2 |
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| | | | | | | | Related | | Android, iOS and BlackBerry are already supported by GeneXus X Evolution 2 Beta 1 | | Welcome 2011! The beginning of a new decade brings with it GeneXus X Evolution 2 | | We are proud to announce the release of GeneXus X Evolution 2 Beta 4! | | Special Edition #GeneXusTheBestOf2014 :: Cloud Computing, the Internet of Things, GeneXus X Evolution 3, Success Stories, Smart Devices and ... Much More! | | Release of U2 of GeneXus Evolution 3 | | Chopo Mobile introduces successful app in Mexico, developed with GeneXus and used for medical studies | | GeneXus™ ERP Explorer and Connector for SAP® ERP Now Live on SAP Store | | We have a new Download Center! The GeneXus download center has an enhanced appearance at its new location | | Demand for Apple TV apps expected to double in 2016 | | What we've learned about GeneXus by working with Gartner (by Gabriel Simonet) | | Agile or Waterfall development? (by Breogán Gonda) | | We are pleased to share an interesting white paper about GeneXus, written by Kapil Ambwani from India! | | Mickey, Toy Story & GeneXus: Why robots will transform developers? | | GeneXus™ Named a NEW Challenger by Gartner In Its 2017 Magic Quadrant for App Development Platforms Report | | Free Live Webinar: Conversations on Digital Transformation - Wednesday, November 8, 2:30PM (EST) |
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