The term UX is relatively new, but initiatives to improve personal computer usability have existed since the 1970s.
Xerox, through its PARC research division, played an important role in the development of the graphical interface as we know it today. Concepts such as the use of icons and folders arranged on a desktop, imitating in the digital world what was already happening in physical workstations, were born in this division.
In the 1980s, Apple with its Macintosh, and later Microsoft with Windows, popularized these concepts for the general public.
More recently, significant advancements have occurred in the resources available for user experience through smartphones, such as the iPhone and Android.
These advancements transformed old cell phones with large buttons and small screens into touchscreen devices, bringing countless innovations in how we interact with these devices. Read on to learn more about the importance of UX in the IT area!
What is UX after all?
The acronym UX comes from User eXperience. This term, although widely used in the IT industry, goes beyond applications, software, or websites.
The user experience always occurs when someone uses a product or service, physical or digital, but this experience can be positive or negative.
For example, a restaurant that offers a differentiated service or has developed a more organized menu is improving its customers’ service and experience.
Good signage in public places and accessibility features for people with physical limitations are also examples of enhanced experiences through the deliberate use of studies and techniques during the design phase.
A very common mistake is to talk about UX only in aesthetic terms. Although a pleasant aesthetic can indeed improve a person’s perception of something, the term is not limited to this factor alone.
Products with a less developed visual appearance can still provide a good experience when they allow the user to complete tasks intuitively and quickly.
It is quite common to find the position of UX Designer or Product Designer in IT companies. However, it is important to emphasize that concern for user experience is not the exclusive responsibility of these roles. A company’s maturity in UX is considered high when all employees are aware of the impact they have on the target audience’s activities.
What can influence the user experience?
Now that we understand the term, let’s explore some of the main factors that impact the user experience. Although the examples focus on IT solutions, you can apply them in various areas. Let’s dive in!
Previous experiences
Yes, no matter how much we always try to innovate and provide solutions that we consider the most efficient for our users, we cannot ignore their interactions with other products or services.
What would be more accepted and easier to use? A different chat application with very specific and particular features or a copy of WhatsApp? The answer could be either, but it is necessary to know your audience to answer with authority.
Perhaps for the general public, a copy of WhatsApp with enhanced proprietary features is a good choice. For another group of people, the specific app might be more interesting because it facilitates processes peculiar to a company, for example.
Social and cultural context
Understanding the social and cultural context in which the solution will be applied is crucial. Elements such as layout, organization of written content, use of images, and colors can vary significantly depending on local culture.
For example, in Brazil, the color red usually denotes attention, alert, or danger, whereas in China it is frequently associated with prosperity, happiness, and luck. It is important to adapt the solution according to these aspects.
Environment and available hardware
Evaluating the environment in which the solution will be used is fundamental for UX. You must consider aspects such as lighting and external noise. Do not use sounds as a form of communication if your user frequently uses your app in an environment where ear protection is required.
Similarly, if use is anticipated in a predominantly dimly lit environment or at night, designing a Dark mode visualization is quite convenient.
Furthermore, the form of interaction, such as a mouse or touchscreen, and screen size also influence product acceptance. Here we can fit the concept of responsiveness, that is, the ability of an app to respond efficiently to various screen sizes, cell phones, tablets, desktops, etc.
Usability
It refers to the ease of use of a product or service. It is important to consider different user profiles, as the solution must serve the largest possible audience without excluding users due to their age, gender, frequency of application use, level of experience, among others.
An interesting resource that can be applied to evaluate the usability of a product or service in IT is heuristics, a checklist of usability best practices. Several authors have their own methodologies, but one of the most widely used is Nielsen’s 10 Heuristics, which describe in a general and practical way how good software should behave.
These are just a few examples of factors that influence UX; there are others. However, by considering those described, it is already possible to significantly improve the user experience in different contexts and provide more effective solutions.
If you read carefully, you noticed that at all times we talked about context, user profiles, groups of people. Therefore, we can see that although standards are important, who will dictate what is good for your application is your target audience.
That is why it is very important that you involve them as early as possible in the design process. Methods for this are varied and topics for another post, but we can highlight Personas, User Journey, and User Flow as some of the most used methods.
What is the importance for the IT area?
Applying UX principles in IT companies not only continuously improves software but also helps in customer loyalty and encourages recommendations, potentially turning the user into an enthusiastic advocate or a detractor of the solution.
In the product development process, the UX Designer plays a comprehensive role, acting as a facilitator or executor in various phases, from initial research to final delivery.
These professionals are involved in understanding user needs, defining requirements, creating prototypes and interaction flows, testing, and design iteration, ensuring that the solution meets expectations and is intuitive and pleasant to use.
Thus, by applying UX principles in IT, companies can reap significant benefits, not only improving software quality, but also strengthening customer relationships and driving product success.
