Editing Human-centered computing (section)

== Human-Centered Design Process ==
The [[Human-centered design|Human-Centered Design]] Process is a method to problem-solving used in design. The process involves, first, empathizing with the user to learn about the target audience of the product and understand their needs. Empathizing will then lead to research, and asking the target audience specific question to further understand their goals for the product at hand. This researching stage may also involve [[competitor analysis]] to find more design opportunities in the product's market. Once the designer has compiled data on the user and the market for their product design, they will then move on to the [[Ideation (creative process)|ideation]]  stage, in which they will brainstorm design solutions through sketches and wireframes. Wireframing is a digital or physical illustration of a user interface, focusing on information architecture, space allocation, and content functionality. Consequently, a [[wire-frame model|wireframe]] typically does not have any colors or graphics and only focuses on the intended functionalities of the interface.<ref name="Affairs">{{Cite web|url=https://www.usability.gov/how-to-and-tools/methods/wireframing.html|title=Wireframing|last=Affairs|first=Assistant Secretary for Public|date=2013-09-06|website=www.usability.gov|language=en-us|access-date=2019-12-09}}</ref>

To conclude the Human-Centered Design Process, there are two final steps. Upon wireframing or sketching, the designer will usually turn their paper sketches or low-fidelity wireframes into high-fidelity [[prototype]]s. Prototyping allows the designer to explore their design ideas further and focus on the overall design concept.<ref name="Affairs"/> High-fidelity means that the prototype is interactive or "clickable" and simulates the a real application.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usability.gov/what-and-why/glossary/high-fidelity-prototype.html|title=High-Fidelity Prototype {{!}} Usability.gov|date=2013-06-10|website=www.usability.gov|language=en-us|access-date=2019-12-09}}</ref> After creating this high-fidelity prototype of their design, the designer can then conduct [[usability testing]]. This involves collecting participants that represent the target audience of the product and having them walk through the prototype as if they were using the real product. The goal of usability testing is to identify any issues with the design that need to be improved and analyze how real users will interact with the product.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usability.gov/how-to-and-tools/methods/usability-testing.html|title=Usability Testing|last=Affairs|first=Assistant Secretary for Public|date=2013-11-13|website=www.usability.gov|language=en-us|access-date=2019-12-11}}</ref> To run an effective usability test, it is imperative to take notes on the users behavior and decisions and also have the user thinking out loud while they use the prototype.