Editing User-centered design (section)

{{short description|Framework of processes with focus on users, uses, and tasks}}
{{Hatnote|Compare [[use-centered design]] and [[usage-centered design]].}}
{{More footnotes|date=June 2023}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2021}}
{{See also|Human-centered design}}

'''User-centered design''' ('''UCD''') or '''user-driven development''' ('''UDD''') is a framework of processes in which [[usability]] goals, user characteristics, [[Environment (systems)|environment]], tasks and workflow of a [[product (business)|product]], service or brand are given extensive attention at each stage of the [[design process]]. This attention includes testing which is conducted during each stage of design and development from the envisioned [[requirement]]s, through pre-production models to post production.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uiaccess.com/accessucd/|title=Cover – Just Ask: Integrating Accessibility Throughout Design|website=uiaccess.com}}</ref><ref name="w3.org">{{cite web|url=https://www.w3.org/WAI/redesign/ucd|title=Notes on User Centered Design Process (UCD)|website=www.w3.org}}</ref>

Testing<ref name="Rubin2011">{{cite book|last1=Rubin|first1=Jeffrey|last2=Chisnell|first2=Dana|title=Handbook of Usability Testing: How to Plan, Design, and Conduct Effective Tests|date=10 March 2011|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-1-118-08040-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l_e1MmVzMb0C&q=Jeffrey+Rubin,+Handbook+of+Usability+Testing:+How+to+Plan,+Design,+and+Conduct+Effective+Tests,|language=en}}</ref> is beneficial as it is often difficult for the designers of a product to understand the [[experience]]s of first-time users and each user's [[learning curve]]. UCD is based on the understanding of a user, their demands, priorities and experiences, and can lead to increased product usefulness and usability.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cse.chalmers.se/research/group/idc/ituniv/kurser/09/hcd/literatures/Vredenburg%202002.pdf|title=A Survey of User-Centered Design Practice|last1=Vredenburg|first1=Karel|last2=Mao|first2=Ji-Ye|year=2002|last3=Smith|first3=Paul|last4=Carey|first4=Tom|access-date=April 14, 2018|archive-date=July 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711190937/http://www.cse.chalmers.se/research/group/idc/ituniv/kurser/09/hcd/literatures/Vredenburg%202002.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> UCD applies cognitive science principles to create intuitive, efficient products by understanding users' mental processes, behaviors, and needs.

UCD differs from other product design philosophies in that it tries to optimize the product around how users engage with the product, in order that users are not forced to change their behavior and expectations to accommodate the product. The users are at the focus, followed by the product's context, objectives and operating environment, and then the [[granularity|granular]] details of task development, organization, and flow.<ref name="w3.org" /><ref name="Rubin2011" />