As you can tell by our name, RNA labs is focused on usability testing. We have experience in usability consulting, recruiting, scheduling, moderating, task preparation, and documentation of usability results. We have conducted usability tests in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Usability testing is a means for measuring how well people can use something (such as a web page) for its intended purpose. If people have difficulty understanding instructions, manipulating parts, or interpreting feedback, then developers should improve the design and test it again. During usability testing, the aim is to observe people using the product in as realistic a situation as possible, to discover errors and areas of improvement. Designers commonly focus excessively on creating designs that look “cool”, compromising usability and functionality. A designers’ primary function should be more than appearance, including making things work with people.
“Caution: simply gathering opinions is not usability testing — you must arrange an experiment that measures a subject’s ability to use your website or application.”
Rather than showing users a rough draft and asking, “Do you understand this?”, usability testing involves watching people trying to use something for its intended purpose.
More on Usability
The primary notion of usability is that objects which are designed with their users’ psychology and physiology in mind are, for example:
• more efficient to use — it takes less time to accomplish a particular task
• easier to learn — operation can be learned by observing the object
• more satisfying to use
Complex computer systems are finding their way into everyday life, and at the same time the market is becoming saturated with competing brands. This has lead to usability becoming more popular and widely recognised in recent years as companies see the benefits of researching and developing their products with user-oriented instead of technology-oriented methods. By understanding and researching the interaction between product and it’s users, we can also provide insight that is unattainable by traditional company-oriented market research. For example, after observing and interviewing users, we may identify needed functionality or design flaws that were not anticipated. In the user-centered design paradigm, the product is designed with its intended users in mind at all times. In the user-driven or participatory design paradigm, some of the users become actual or de facto members of the design team.
“Usability is an approach to product development that incorporates direct user feedback throughout the development cycle in order to reduce costs and create products and tools that meet user needs.”
-UPA
Usability is a quality attribute that assesses how easy user interfaces are to use. The word ‘usability’ also refers to methods for improving ease-of-use during the design process.”
- Jakob Nielsen
Usability Testing at RNA labs
At RNA labs we’ve modernized our usability testing equipment with a portable usability lab based on Techsmith’s Morae software. Our portable lab doesn’t require a formal lab facility at the testing location. It’s an all-digital, software-based solution that records and synchronizes user and system data for accurate and detailed analysis.
We also have experience with various usability testing equipment and can assist with setting up a usability lab at your own facility.
For the past three years, our latest projects have been in the mobile/wireless industry. We have been intensely testing mobile applications and have gained a great deal of experience and knowledge in this area which is very exciting and on the cutting edge of technology.
We have been closely involved with the design and usability testing of mobile applications that are innovative and new to the market. We are assisting and working with our clients to reach the next level of innovation, design, and usability in the mobile market. We enjoy celebrating our clients successes and watching them succeed.
Please feel free to contact us to find out more about our usability testing methods or to discuss how we can be of service to you.