User-centered design (UCD) is a framework that places the user at the center of the design and development process. It focuses on who'll be using a product, the tasks they need to complete while using the project, and the environment in which they'll use the product (i.e., a product’s context of use).

UCD addresses the whole user experience and aims to improve human well-being by creating products that are useful, usable, and accessible. This is achieved through focusing on usability and employing a user-driven evaluation and iteration process.

In this article, I’ll desribe 5 principals for successful user-centered design.

1. Design for the users and their tasks

You need to first understand your users – their needs and objectives – in order to create an interface that allows them to effectively access your system’s functionality.

The important questions to ask then in creating a user-centered interface are: Who are the users? What are the main functions that the user will need? Why is the user using this particular piece of software/hardware and what are their goals?

2. Maintain Consistency

The users need a system that is easy to learn with minimal and understandable requirements. The behavior of interface elements should be consistent.

This consistency between product design elements contribute to reducing the learning effort required to understand how the design works and how to use it properly.

3. Provide Adequate Feedback

Users need assurance that their actions have been successfully executed. This can be made evident by a change in the appearance when completion is achieved successfully.

4. Use Simple and Natural Dialogue

The user should see only the relevant information that is essential for task completion because each time irrelevant information is added, it puts the user in a more complicated situation.

5. Be Error Free

Minimize errors by directing the users towards the right way to achieve their goals. Feedback from users should be constrained to prevent error, where necessary to the task.

Consider expressing error messages in plain language to avoid the use of codes and offer a solution suggestion to the problem.

Conclusion

While the site’s visual aesthetics are important, the key factors for determining a website’s success are its usability and utility. Now that we know the principles, let's work towards building a world with better interfaces!