Some designations on Usability

For some who are unaware or bit confused or for some who term UI guys as web designers (harsh part is even my wife thinks the same), I am forced to do research on this and list it down some designations of members who are into usability…. And what they do, Here we go….

1. Interaction Designer

Interaction designer is often associated with the design of system interfaces but also concentrates on the aspects of the interface that define and present its behavior over time, with a focus on developing the system to respond to the user's experience and not the other way around.

2. User Interface Designer

UI Designer is someone who is involved in designing of computers, appliances, machines, mobile communication devices, software applications, and websites with the focus on the user's experience and interaction.

Now role of a Graphic designer or web designer is to apply a theme or style to the interface without looking into END user’s look or in other terms its called user centered design…. This is where a user interface designer comes into picture wherein he not only designs it but also sees to this that it’s easily accessible or user friendlier to the END USER, who will be actually using the thing. So in other words people who used to work as web or graphic visualizer are automatically converting to UI designer, only exceptions like AD AGENCY people who debate on this term and say that it kills creativity, maybe to an extent yes but in a long term view, even visual ads are been made fro whom…. For whom…. For common man right ????? so why make absurd ads in the name of creativity to make people think what it is…..

3. GUI Designer
A graphical user interface (GUI) is a type of user interface which employ graphical icons, visual indicators or special graphical elements, along with text, labels or text navigation to represent the information and actions available to a user. The actions are usually performed through direct manipulation of the graphical elements….. it’s almost same in lines with UI designer but some people term it as GUI designer to make it technically sound.

4. User Experience Designer

User experience design is a subset of the field of experience design which pertains to the creation of the architecture and interaction models which impact a user's perception of a device or system. The scope of the field is directed at affecting "all aspects of the user’s interaction with the product: how it is perceived, learned, and used….

MORE polished version of UI designer

5. Visual Designer

It’s almost the same as UI designer but this person gives more emphasis to visual components. Generally in most design firms Visual Designers are hired to create or visualize the design (mostly adding 3D elements…. Sort of ), but to me he should be someone who can effectively use graphical elements to meet the user centered principle.

Other designation like

User researcher

Usability Analyst

Usability Architects

Managerial level.... ya some firms do have

Business Analyst - Usability

Principal Usability head or lead

Are more inclined towards research and focus completely on adapting usability principles and user centric approach towards organization and projects, they rely on user experience and do full study on human behaviour, so they take help of designers to make their research into practice and to make it presentable.

In reality we all, I mean UI, interaction, etc, etc…… designers all do the same thing but many are not aware about what we do.

I realized that while on working for a long time in design field, slowly inclined to that not purposefully or forcefully but through nature of work or projects, at some period you will realize this that for whom are you designing for yourself or for users ???

Are we serious about UI ???

NO is the answer ??? we become serious only if the client demands. Why is it so? why can't we build a UI team that is taken more seriously and sales people do market the team's capabilities. Is it unsaleable or we Indians don't have much usability gyan, or is it because our people themselves don't know what usability is all about.

I met a guy who is in top position in cognizant technology pune, he asked me what do I do. I said I am into Usability..... he gave me a strange look, then I said UI team, he gain was a bit confused. I wasn't shocked by his behavior. This is the scenario of whole IT industry in India. more than half of the working staff are unaware of what is usability and what is UI ???? strange ! but thats bitter truth, other half who know or pretend to know claim that Usability is to do with look and graphics, animation, mind blowing 3D look. Yes this the view of some great managers of Indian IT industry.

But the emphasis goes higher when client wants his product or service to be user centric and he goes in and hires and design firm on his own, why because our business analyst or PMs are unaware of user centered principles. Now not everytime the client gives it to design firm, due to cost and cross functioning. Imagine if have a strong usability team and supported by the managers, how effective would the project result be ? Imaging how much time would be saved and understanding of the project will be more clearer. Profit for all no losses.... think fast before we miss the bus.