Anything can be a product – a book, a drink, an app, a building, or even a dress. These items are classified as products because they are being used by people. However, the way a user feels using any of these items is simply referred to as “User Experience” and it explains the importance of the design.
The Concept of User Experience
User Experience is the easiest way to measure how well a design has fulfilled its purpose. It tells whether a designer has created a good product because reactions from users will reveal the result. For example, to assess the user experience of a standing fan produced by a company, an individual needs to utilize the fan and subsequently provide feedback based on their usage. This feedback usually involves their feelings and observations, such as – “the fan having an effective airflow but excessive noise during operation.” The experience of the user while utilizing this product has been received and necessary actions can follow.
Read also: How to Become a UX/UI Designer in Nigeria
Who can understand a User’s Experience?
A UX (User Experience) designer puts themselves in the shoes of a user to capture the ideal perception of a product. Often, UX designers also double as user interface designers due to their expertise in crafting seamless interactions between users and products. This multifaceted style allows them to create designs that prioritize user satisfaction and usability. Also, this explains why product designers must always think of a user every time they are building a product. Whatever or however a user feels using a certain product is dependent on the competence of the designer – “to be a designer, you must first be a user yourself.”
The impact of UX influence on a product
Randomly, you’ve had to read reviews from a product to decide whether to purchase a certain product or not. These reviews, stemming from the firsthand experiences of previous users, provide a cue into how they felt about the product, its functionality, ease of use, and satisfaction.
Extending this, the influence of User Experience on a product is profound. Positive user experiences encourage a positive reputation for the product, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty. This technically means that well-designed and user-friendly products tend to attract more users, prompting repeat purchases and generating positive referrals.
On the flip side, negative user experiences can significantly harm a product’s reputation and sales. If a product is difficult to use, doesn’t meet expectations, or lacks usability, users are more likely to leave negative reviews, leading to decreased sales and a tarnished brand image.
Read also: Job Description and Average Salary of a UI/UX Designer in Nigeria
Finally
This is not to say that designers are perfect or should be but it is important that products designed are run through a user’s view before they go live because you don’t want to give your users a hard time. Usually, users just want to enjoy what they are using and be able to come back again. “They want to be able to breeze in and out of a bank app, performing a seamless transaction.” The most important thing is “ease” while using these products. Best believe users will only visit again If they don’t have to do so much mental gymnastics while using a product. When designing a product, think of “soft life” for users.
