project types
usability services
desktop software
As software packages become more advanced, users expect more and more simplicity, without losing their favourite features.
To stay competitive, the designs must be more usable with each successive generation.
The goal of most application developers is to provide a usable product that adds value to the user and fulfils the organisations goals. These goals vary between application types but to achieve them they all share the same requirements that they must be easily navigable, intuitive and reflect the user needs.
Desktop software is a relatively inflexible platform compared with a web-based solution. If you make a mistake with your design, the consequences are more serious.
This inflexibility means the problems associated with applying post-launch changes are greatly increased and results in increased costs, support centre burdens, and the inconvenience of re-deployment or patching for you and your customers. It also damages your relationship with your customers.
As part of the improvement process, I create a representation of your system using wireframes, which are mock-ups of individual interface screens.
As well as modelling the concepts, my wireframes also consider the site's intended content, intended audience, scenarios of use and technical constraints. These prototypes are created using tools such as Visio, Excel or Powerpoint.
Each element in the wireframe is verified by employing specialised techniques, to elicit user feedback on the developing user centred design. The wireframe is constantly revised based on this feedback and any necessary design modifications are made. Throughout this process the technical feasibility of the proposed solution is constantly monitored.