Usability Testing of Screen Design: Beyond Standards, Principles, and Guidelines

Abstract

Developers are encouraged to adhere to standards and follow principles and guidelines when designing screens. Each has its place and its limitations in designing screens. Because of the limited research behind current standards and because each product involves many considerations, just applying today's standards, principles, and guidelines does not guarantee good screen design. Designers should also test screen design with users in a usability test laboratory. This paper discusses the importance of conducting laboratory usability testing. It focuses on the role of usability testing in the process of refining screen design. The paper also presents some of the major advantages that usability testing offers over other methods of improving screen design.