History of Denial in Usability Shows Why Businesses should Pay Attention to UX Research Sooner the Better
Even though evidence shows how the improvement of usability can enhance users experience and save businesses money, some are still sceptical about UX design as to the required step in the design process. We wanted to gather some samples of evidence to show that benefits exist even in research dated back to the 70s.
To see the importance of people to product harmony we can look at how ergonomics, pretty much parent to UX design, was first rejected just to transform the way companies build their productions and products they make.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics started its journey in around 1960.
It struggled to get recognition for a decade, it was described as a waste of resources and cast out, to be used in furniture.
Ergonomics was heavily discussed in relation to aviation, it was hard to ignore the need for ergonomics in that field. This field, like no other, was struggling with human errors, due to highly complex interfaces that sometimes set up people for failure. That is why there are some books like “Pilot Error” by Hurst( 1976), that was quoted by Norman in “The design of everyday things” to bring insight on topics of usability.
But more and more evidence started to pile up, confirming what specialists were saying for a decade.
The ergonomic advances help the worker, but also the employer by reducing accidents and absenteeism, and increasing output.
The main goal of ergonomics was safety back then, which also translated into further progress of that field, grabbing the attention of more and more businesses.
As support for ergonomics grew in the 90s, more and more research came to life that was proving the benefits of ergonomics for both workers and businesses.
Medical studies confirm what efficiency experts have been saying form more than a decade
Companies started to listen to specialists and improve their workspaces and products.
That extra brake light in your late model car’s rear window is a safety addition attributable to ergonomics, along with easier-to-use seat belts
In “Detroit Free Press” article (1993), representatives of Ford describe why the company fully embraces ergonomics and why everyone should do the same.
Ergonomics, similarly to UX, is an investment. Investment in a better work environment, in user satisfaction, in the stability of the product.
It is a bit disappointing that it took about 30 years for businesses to really acknowledge that ergonomics is helpful in so many ways for them and their workers and to start implementing it. That waisted 30 years that could’ve been safer for their workers and could’ve boost their productions.
And now
Interface designers try to prologue that strive for people to produce harmony in a digital world.
Similarly to ergonomics, user research-based design of digital products helps not only users do their job easier, but also saves money for owners because of less support and improved productivity(for enterprise products).
We have evidence that supports data-driven approach like:
and many other reports.
Even though we now have general rules that we can use to improve usability, only thorough research can bring the best benefits to the business and users. It is impossible to provide good user experience for large enterprise projects without observing users in their environment and long lasted research. Without that, we like productions in the 70s keep ignoring problems and think the things are okay the way they are.
Every business should consider investing in good UX design and research that is needed, to lay a good foundation for more satisfied users and a more inventive approach to interaction that is research-informed.
So if everyone could benefit from UX, how much evidence do we need to invest in UX and similar studies?
Olesia Vdovenko
UX designer at Angle2 agency
