Digital Design & Usability
In the digital age, creating a website is more than just designing an aesthetically pleasing interface; it’s about ensuring usability and delivering a seamless user experience. Through my recent Digital Design & Usability class, I gained valuable insights into the importance of understanding usability, implementing user testing, optimizing website navigation, and refining information scent to create an effective website plan. Here’s how these elements came together to shape my approach:
Understanding Usability
Usability focuses on how easily and intuitively a user can interact with a website. I learned that a visually appealing site is not enough—users must be able to navigate it effortlessly to find the information they need. In my research, I read the book “Don’t Make Me Think” by Steve Krug, where I learned valuable information about website usability and user testing. These principles guided me in evaluating and improving website elements like menus, buttons, and content layouts, ensuring the design was functional and user-centered.
Implementing User Testing
User testing was a transformative part of the process. I conducted usability tests with first-time visitors to the site, observing how they interacted with the navigation, located information, and completed specific tasks. Feedback from these tests highlighted pain points, such as confusing menu labels and inaccessible content. This phase taught me the value of iterative design—testing, refining, and retesting until the website truly meets user needs.
Optimizing Website Navigation and Information Scent
Website navigation is the backbone of a user-friendly site. I focused on creating a clear, consistent navigation menu with intuitive link titles, hover states, and visual cues to help users understand their current location. Information scent—how users follow clues to find what they need—was another key consideration. By using descriptive headings, keyword-rich labels, and visually distinct sections, I ensured that users could easily “sniff out” the information they were looking for.
Creating the Final Website Plan
With usability testing insights and refined navigation strategies, I developed a comprehensive website plan. This plan outlined the site structure, detailed content updates, and introduced features such as an interactive menu, a dedicated events page, and synchronized social media feeds. The goal was to provide an engaging, user-friendly experience that reflected the brand’s personality and values.
Key Takeaways
This class reinforced the importance of designing with empathy and intentionality. A great website is not just about showcasing creativity—it’s about solving problems, meeting user expectations, and ensuring accessibility. As I move forward, these lessons will remain central to my approach, allowing me to create meaningful digital experiences for brands and their audiences.
Class Folder Organization
Class Folder Organization
References: Oo-de-Lally Coffee. (2024). https://www.oodelallycoffee.com/
Krug, S. (2024). Downloads. Steve Krug. https://sensible.com/download-files/
Krug, S. (2000). Don’t Make Me Think. New Riders Publishing.
