Patrick Jordan spoke at the NYC Chapter of UPA about Designing Great Stuff that People Love [MS Powerpoint 3.7 Mb]. The slides are very interesting, as they have a focus on a holistic understand people, their environment and emotional values that drive them. To be product must address first the functionality, then the usability and finally then it can be a pleasure to use. This relationship is similar to the Maslow Hierarchy of human needs. Self actualization or the creation of products that people love only comes after you have satisfied lower level needs.
Crow’s Hierarchy of User Needs
- Accessibility
- Fuctionality
- Usability
- Desireability
To have a product that is desireable, you must first satisfy that the product is usable. To have a usable product you must ensure that the product is functional. And before the product can be functional you have to ensure that it is accessible and safe.