My Thoughts on UX

I knew good UX experiences when I saw it, felt it, or experienced it. When I took Intro to User Experience at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, I learned the specifics of what makes good UX. Having that knowledge, I can now use those rules, guidelines, and design patterns.

I have always been frustrated by bad experiences and wanted to change them. This intro class gave me the knowledge to start improving these experiences. It also gives me a foundation to further learn user experience.

Although my major is Computer Science, I view UX as something bigger than the digital. How we act, what we do, and what we say is all an experience for someone. The same applies to the rules we make. One could say that UX is a way of life.

I knew design for accessibility was important, but learning actionable ways to improve it was fascinating. Specifically, I liked the idea of ensuring color schemes are visible to all vision types. Something as simple as a color could render an experience useless for someone who is color blind. It is also a reminder to pay attention to the little details for accessibility. A small bump could make life harder for those in a wheelchair, for example.

However, we are only human. We can't fully anticipate needs. That's why UX research is critical. People are also human, which means they can feel intimidated and lie when interviewed. They also can subconsciously lie. Thus, reading between the lines and proper interviewing is essential for accurate information.

In the end, I am very grateful for the opportunity to learn about user experience. The ideas and concepts I learned will definitely be used in the future.