A seminar called “User-Centered Design Principles: Users and Usability” was held by the Hong Kong Design Centre on 25 August 2009. Dr. Jon Dodd, the speaker of the seminar, gave a very inspiring introduction on what User-Centered Design (UCD) is and how important it is in all development projects of web-based solutions.
With over 13 years practical experience gained helping organizations create effective web solutions, Dr. Dodd presented a systematic methodology to guide project stakeholders working through a low-risk web-based development. If my memory is good, one of his projects about development of a website for an airline company would require more than 50% of the whole development schedule (e.g. about 8 weeks) in usability study. During the usability study, a focus group of a number of people was set up to deal with the company and their customers then comment how to enhance their existing website to increase the reservation rate of air tickets. More >
