What I've learnt in NM4210

This is one of the modules that require a lot of works (research, designing, redesigning) throughout the semester. We learned the different methods of user research and testing. The most interesting thing that I've learned is to design for individual. We learn to make user persona and do four pleasure analysis for that user. However, sometimes I still doubt the idea of designing for each individual. I believe that each individual is unique in taste - likes and dislikes - but how can we design a product for each of the billions of people in the world? Although we discuss in class that 'Apple' designs the user experience products that make us feel like each product is designed especially for 'you'. But it is not really the case for me. I have never been a fan of any of 'Apple' product and for me, their products are just massively-produced over-prized china made non-durable products. Of course, in this case, it shows why it is important to create the persona for anti-user and make sure that our product is not designed for these users.

We learn all the different techniques of finding out more about our users because we need to put in consideration of user's experience of the product in every stage of design process. A lot of time, I learn to put myself into the shoes of users, discarding my own designer's ego that is telling me to put more functions to make things 'cool'. However, I would argue that there is also 'luck' and 'time' factors in the design as well. A designer can make a perfect product/service that has taken consideration of user experience in every process but in the end, the design still failed. Maybe the failure is partially caused by the misinterpretation of 'need' and 'want' from the target audience that we do research on.

All in all, designing a user experience is an art itself. There is no specific guidelines or processes that will guarantee a successful experience. However, I believe a good balance between user research findings and designer's professional expertise will lead to a good experience design.