Sorry about the lost blog posting. The URL is: http://www.virtualfloorspace.com/2009/11/ucd-ux-usability/
@Jerome: I don't think it's splitting hairs. I've read some recent holy wars on this discussion board that involved these concepts, and I think a clear representation of UCD, UX, and Usability, and their often different application to web sites, software design, and product design would help us get beyond blindfolded nerf bat battles to a transfer of knowledge best practices. Instead of passionately arguing that a particular approach is universally right or wrong, discuss why it is right or wrong to your specific organizational or design context. @Dan: Perhaps it isn't a question of role (although large companies often separate the usability testing group from UX strategists and designers), but it is more than terminology. It is a question of focus and application of resources. For example, since many clients are familiar with the term usability, they view it as the medicine that will cure all their conversion woes. It won't. Some situations require a step back to look at the overall online experience, or perhaps even the multichannel experience, in order to solve the real issues behind their woes. Understanding the distinction between these concepts, rather than just the definitions of the terms, will help them make better decisions. @Davin: I agree that when we get a chance to reflect on our work, clear terminology leads to clear thinking, which helps unify and free-up the creative work we do. I would like to see this type of thinking result in a discussion framework in which specific research, strategy and design decisions can be presented in a non-proprietary way. @Dave: I think the distinction does matter. Look at all the job ads on LinkedIn, Indeed, IxDA etc. that your students and mentees may want to apply for. They variously require UX, UCD, usability, SEO, SEM, IA, web optimization, design strategy, interaction design, etc. Depending on the job, they may need to articulate the different components of a user experience they are familiar with, and how they would optimize those components through various project roles, tools, methods, etc. In a different interview they may need to be able to articulate how they would go about executing a UCD strategy for a given program or design project. How can UX and UCD be considered "dead" if I get asked to explain my understanding and approach to these concepts all the time in client meetings, with increasing frequency, and these terms appear all over the job boards? /pb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=47132 ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [email protected] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
