Principles
Acceptability
5 design principles to design for acceptability in the physical and digital world.
2014
Rory Southworth
PRINCIPLES Developed in order to better design for acceptability and to communicate the process needed to create designs that have a better chance of uptake. There is no one size fits all solution for acceptability as each user and context is different, therefore for each scenario the principles should be applied.
Acceptability
What are the users desires and what is the context/environment? The first two questions.
DE SIRED ME A NING Use research methods to understand the users unspoken desires, design for them and testing with them. Use the product interaction meanings to meet the users desires. Example: Buying perfume not for the smell, but for the luxurious associations attached to it. Further reading: Semiotics, Marketing and communication - Floch, J
Principle 1
Do the meanings of the interactions and semiotics fit with the users wants/needs? Use research methods to uncover users desires and design for those meanings. (lilvanili, 2012)
M AT C H O R B E T T E R E X P E C TAT I O N S Facilitate the users understanding of the product by designing it to preform as expected, or better than the user anticipated. Example: By turning a key in a lock, you expect the door to be able to be opened. Further reading: Universal Methods of Design Martin, B, Hanington, B
Principle 2
Does it do what they expected it to do? Observe the users interactions and test concepts with real users. (Keyring, 2014)
FEELING GOOD Use emotions and feelings to drive decisions, change negative associations to positive meanings by using semiotics and semantics in the design. Example: The feeling you get from wearing quality clothing, such as a pair of Gucci Loafers. Further reading: Emotionomics - Hill, D
Principle 3
How does it make the user feel? Design for the wished feelings to be felt in the products interactions. (Ten outfits, 2012)
FITS USERS IDENTIT Y Design experiences and products that fit into the users existing identity and lifestyle. Use strong narratives and emotions to design products that transform the users and change their identity. Example: Custom prosthetics to represent the wearer personality. Further reading: Conversational Capital Cesvet, B
Principle 4
What does the product say about the user? Understand the users, their identities and the products that shape them. (Sophie de Oliveira Barata, 2013)
POSITIVES OUT WEIGH N E G AT I V E S Consider all of the positives and negatives associated with the product in relation to the meanings, interactions, functions and performance. The users and their needs define what is positive and what is negative, therefore user research methods must be carried out alongside testing to valid any hypotheses. Example: The independence and mobility of a wheelchair can outweigh the stigma. Further reading: Toothpicks & Logos - Heskett, J
Principle 5
What are the positives and what are the negatives of the design in relation to the user? Use research methods throughout the design process to research, test and valid the design. (Pablo Gorondi, 2012)
BIBLIOGR A PH Y
IM AGES
Cesvet, B, 2008. Conversational Capital: How to Create Stuff People Love to Talk About. 1st Edition. FT Press.
Keyring, (2014), Paul’s Story [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www.keyring.org/site/KEYR/ UploadedResources/Unlocking%20doorsmallerjpg. jpg [Accessed 13 April 14].
Floch, J, 2001. Semiotics, Marketing and Communication: Beneath the Signs, the Strategies (International Marketing Series). 1st Edition. Great Britain: Palgrave Macmillan. Heskett, J, 2003. Toothpicks and Logos: Design in Everyday Life. Edition. Oxford University Press, USA. Hill, D, 2008. Emotionomics: Leveraging Emotions for Business Success, Revised Edition. Great Britain: Kogan Page. Martin, B, Hanington, B, 2012. Universal Methods of Design: 100 Ways to Research Complex Problems, Develop Innovative Ideas, and Design Effective Solutions. 1.2.2012 Edition. Rockport Publishers. Southworth, R, 2014. Principles - Trust: 5 design principles to create trustful interactions in the physical and digital world.
Lilvanili, (2012), Chanel N°5 [ONLINE]. Available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/32334994@ N00/8097431414 [Accessed 13 April 14]. Pablo Gorondi, (2012), Miss Colour Hungary contest [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www. chinapost.com.tw/news_images/20120228/p10c.jpg [Accessed 13 April 14]. Sophie de Oliveira Barata, (2013), Alternative Limb Project [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www. thealternativelimbproject.com/#/alternativelimbs/4569103979 [Accessed 13 April 14]. Ten outfits, (2012), Gucci Loafers [ONLINE]. Available at: http://tenoutfits.files.wordpress. com/2012/05/016.jpg [Accessed 13 April 14].
Rory Southworth
rorysouthworth@gmail.com