Turn on ye ole Javascript to add ratings in this low-budg app.

Link to this page
← All panel ideas
Title:

Is Usability a Strategy for Mediocrity?

Your vote:
Level:
Advanced
Type:
Panel
Category:
Philosophical, Design
Organizer:
Todd Wilkins , Adaptive Path
Description:
Usability is an important component of successful design. But it's just one out of many. Great products must also be desirable, delightful, engaging, meaningful, etc. Can "usability" be a successful strategy and rallying cry to meet these ends? Is 'usability' as a profession up to the task given its general focus on evaluation, efficiency, tasks, and errors?
Russell Wilson
on 20/8/07
No. Usability is about testing design to ensure that it meets certain basic and fundamental requirements. Todd - I'll definitely attend to hear this if you are selected to present. I encounter confusion on this all of the time.
Thor Muller
on 24/8/07
I saw Todd do a version of this presentation at WebVisions and he was quite memorable, particularly the part where he comes out in drag.
Zane Safrit
on 27/8/07
Not being a member of the design community, maybe my outlook is pedestrian. But...isn't 'usability' the culmination of 'desirable, delightful, engaging, meaningful, etc'? To the extent the design incorporates those elements, it becomes usable. If the consumer/customer/enduser doesn't find a design 'desirable, delightful, engaging, meaningful, etc'...then the design won't get used.

Or maybe I should see Todd's presentation, drag or not.
Chris Bernard
on 4/9/07
I'd go see this.
Do it today!
Link to this page
← All panel ideas
Legend
    0
    Zilch - I have no interest in this idea.
    1
    OK - But this is not really my cup of tea.
    2
    Good - I might attend this panel.
    3
    Better - I probably will attend this panel.
    4
    Best - I will definitely attend this panel.
    5
    Amazing - This justifies my trip to SXSW.
T
= Technical panel
P
= Philosophical panel
B
= Beginner level
I
= Intermediate level
A
= Advanced level
Developed for SXSW by Lindsey Simon