Why did the term "user experience" start a design revolution in the 1990s?

In the 1990s, with the development of technology, especially the popularity of personal computers and the Internet, the term "user experience" began to attract widespread attention. Technology companies at the time came to realize that the success of a product was not only determined by its functionality, but also by how users interacted with it and the experience they felt. This change has promoted a profound change in design philosophy, because it no longer emphasizes just "usability", but the overall user experience.

User experience covers all emotions, beliefs and reactions during use. These factors are indispensable in the current innovation process of interactive design.

At that time, service designers and product designers began to consider a wider range of user needs, thus promoting the rise of "user-centered" design concepts. First of all, this method emphasizes direct feedback and experience from users, so designers can better meet market needs. As users' expectations for technology products increase, the sophistication and humanity of design have become important signs of a successful product.

Design is no longer just a creative expression, but focuses on how to solve users' practical problems through design, which was revolutionary at the time.

In this context, renowned designer Donald Norman played a key role. He began popularizing the term "user experience" in the mid-1990s. His insights are not limited to users' emotional reactions, but conduct an in-depth analysis of "users' expectations and the actual performance of the product." This makes people pay more attention to users' emotions and behaviors, and designers have to adjust their thinking patterns to put users at the core of design.

As the awareness of "user experience" rises, various design practices gradually reflect the needs and expectations of users. This not only affects the look and feel of products, but also triggers systematic research into user behavior. Many brands began to conduct surveys, analyze users' opinions of their products, and use this data to improve the design. This process continued to promote design changes.

This requires designers to integrate multiple stakeholders such as marketing, branding and usability in order to design products that are both beautiful and functional.

In addition, with the rise of mobile devices, the interaction between users and products has become more frequent and diverse, which further promotes the development of user experience. After the popularization of powerful smartphones, users' needs have become more personalized, and designers must rethink how to optimize the experience of these users and provide better satisfaction.

Not only that, with the rise of social media, user feedback is instantly transmitted to all parts of the world, and it has become more difficult for companies to ignore the influence of user experience. If a product fails to meet users' expectations, users can immediately post negative reviews online, which will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the brand's image.

Therefore, user experience becomes a competitive advantage, affecting the long-term development of the brand and user loyalty.

In this case, design is no longer just a visual art, but a comprehensive study integrated with psychology, sociology and behavioral science. Designers must not only consider simple functionality, but also pay attention to the overall experience of users and how to elicit positive emotional reactions during use. This concept is still influencing the design world and promoting the further development of technological products.

In short, the design revolution in the 1990s was made possible by the emergence of the emerging concept of "user experience." The introduction of this concept changes the relationship between designers and users and allows companies to stay invincible in the competition. But where are future design trends leading?

Trending Knowledge

The revelation of ISO 9241: How to improve the experience through the system, users and usage situations?
In today's digital age, user experience (UX) has become an important criterion for evaluating the success of a product, system or service.How users interact with products, their perception, demand sat
The mysterious world of user experience: Why feel and usability are equally important?
In today's digital world, User Experience (UX) is no longer just a design consideration, but a critical factor in product success. Whether it’s an app, a website, or any service, its design must take

Responses