I couldn’t let World Usability Day go by without making some comment about the subject. I, as a human and as a content and site creator, feel passionately about the topic. The word “usability,” though, has become a muddied buzzword that loses its meaning when tossed around so carelessly. It starts to take on that same tone as other wince-worthy words as “robust” or “scalable.”

Allow me to explain what usable means. That’s as good a place to start as anywhere. So here goes:
Usability is making something that conforms to the way someone would use it instead of making someone conform to the way you designed it.

People have a natural way of doing things. And this doesn’t just apply to things they’ve always done or learned to do. Even when faced with something new – something that has never existed before – people have a way that they expect to be able to use it. Great, fantastic, fabulous design lets them just step in and, with minimal learning, understand and engage.

Usability applies to everything from water fountains to complex computer programs. It’s what makes the iPod revolutionary and a box of facial tissues a necessity. It’s what makes getting through a space like a grocery store stressful or pleasant.

Take a moment today and think about the things you use. Are they easy or frustrating? Take a moment to consider if and how things could be improved. You could be onto the next iPod before you know it.

Tags: design, technology, usability | Category Web & Tech