User Experience - a new buzz word or the way forward for web development?

User Experience - a new buzz word or the wayensure that the site is accessible. Accessibility helps
forward for web development?us identify the potential problems people with
Written by Léonie Watson, Nomensa Head ofdisabilities might face on a site and to identify ways
Accessibilityin which these problems can be avoided.
User experience might sound like just another bit ofGraphic Design
marketing candy, but there's a lot of science hidingVisual clarity and appeal are vital elements in a web
behind this feel good phrase.site. Graphic Design helps us identify colour schemes
People always come to a web site with a goal inthat enhance readability and ease of use, whilst
mind, whether that's to book tickets, find out whendefining a visual identity that provides the first signal
the local recycle centre is open, check their bankto the user that a site will fulfil their expectations.
statement or listen to the radio. It sounds remarkablyComputer Science
simple, a logical assertion that the purpose of anyFor a web site to meet the target of supporting the
web site is to fulfil the goals of the user. But timeuser's goals it is unquestionably important to use the
and time again, this fundamental concept ismost appropriate technology. Computer Science helps
overlooked or underestimated.us to produce code that supports the web site and
It takes a subtle combination of a number ofwhich enables us to identify solutions for problems
different disciplines to build a web site that isfacing users.
functional, attractive, supportive and user friendly.The whole package
Each one plays a vital role in creating an environmentUser experience is born out of the knowledge and
where people can achieve their goals withoutexperiences that each of these disciplines bring.
difficulty, obstruction or frustration.Independently of each other they cannot ensure that
Psychologya web site will meet the goals and expectations of
If the purpose of a web site is to support the goalsthe user, but working in combination they produce a
of the user, it's necessary to understand what thosevaluable tour de force.
goals might be. Psychology helps us understand whoThe web development industry is maturing from self
people are, the reasons they do things and thetaught practitioner to business savvy enterprise. It is
purpose of their choices.no longer enough to throw a web site together, it's
Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)not even enough to go through the motions and tick
In supporting the user it makes sense to picture theall the right boxes. For web development to meet
way individuals use technology. HCI helps usthe needs of an increasingly web savvy business
understand why people choose to use differentworld, it must be able to deliver a powerful user
technologies, the strengths and weaknesses of thoseexperience and that requires a considerable arsenal of
technologies and the different ways people useskills.
them.Léonie leads the Accessibility Research
UsabilityProgramme at Nomensa, pioneering accessible design
It is absolutely essential that any web site is usertechnology for the Internet. Drawing upon her skills in
friendly. Usability helps us understand the elements ofaccessibility research, trained expertise in IT
a web site that can sometimes be difficult for peoplecomputing, and personal experience as a blind user,
to use and to identify ways to clarify and simplifyLéonie plays a key role in making the Internet
them, removing frustration for users.an environment open to everyone regardless of their
Accessibilityability.
If a web site is to support all users it is necessary to