A user centric approach for evaluating and enhancing the usability of a complex real-time web user interface
Rickard Larsson · KTH Publication Database DiVA (KTH Royal Institute of Technology) · 2016
As the technologies evolve, more complex products such as real-time web applications are made. These applications introduce new usability challenges and interaction design opportunities. The purpose of this work was to evaluate and enhance the usability of a complex real-time web user interface using a User-centered design approach. Another aim was to investigate how to adapt the current usability research methods, guidelines and principles to today's modern technology, such as real-time web applications. The research was carried out for the Stockholm based start-up Challengermode AB that is currently developing a competitive gaming platform with a focus in automatic tournaments. The research method consisted of a user and system analysis, usability testing and a creative design workshop. The research results were used in combination with current user interface design guidelines and principles to improve and design new features to the current user interface. The results show that the User-centered design approach in combination with Participatory design was a successful way of evaluating and improving the usability of the Challengermode real-time web user interface. The current usability research and design guidelines are applicable to modern technology, but in order to evaluate the Challengermode real-time web user interface, and other applications with similar functionality in a realistic scenario, traditional usability testing can be limited. Furthermore, the main takeaways from the user interface improvement process is that designing for empty states and not hiding important elements even though they are not active is as important as designing for the optimal case where data is available.