This is a basic question of terminology, not of role/title identification.

UCD is an approach to creating products that considers the needs and goals of the user to be the highest priority. There are other approaches to creating products (activity-centered design, systems design, and genius or expert design being the other major ones).

UX is the umbrella term that encompasses all aspects of a product: content, form, visuals, sound, behavior, structure. Interaction design is one of many disciplines that contribute to the user experience.

Usability has traditionally meant product testing, or has been equated with design, particularly interaction design. Usability is one of the three main pillars of great products (usefulness and desirability are the other two). Usability should be part of every designer's job, although there are some "usability engineers" whose role is to test for the ease of use of a product, or determine best practices for types of products.


Hope this helps. IxDA, where's our wiki glossary?


Dan


Dan Saffer
Principal, Kicker Studio
http://www.kickerstudio.com
http://www.odannyboy.com





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