Designing a University web site by considering users' emotion and using Kansei engineering

Abstract

Today, many works are done via internet such as viewing movies, reading magazine and newspapers, education, banking, administration and so on. In accordance with the influence of internet in human's routine life, designing user interfaces is of great importance. Traditional designing of web user interfaces was designer-oriented. In other words, only designers' ideas were considered. If users' ideas in designing of web user interfaces are considered, users' satisfaction will increase and they return to that web site again and again. One solution is Kansei engineering which is a simple method for converting the emotion and heart of user to production parameters which was coined by Mitsuo Nagamachi in 1970. This method can evaluate different emotions and show the relationship of them with real productions. User interfaces is a platform for interaction between users and machines. They provide an environment for management, modification and processing of information of users. Kansei engineering is a combination of Cognitive Psychology and computer science. User interfaces are not a simple combination of graphics. Designing user interface is influenced by end users with regard to context, visual effects, experience of desirables and satisfaction. In this paper, some web portals are evaluated via Kansei engineering. The needs and emotions of users are considered in designing. Thus, the effectiveness of Kansei engineering in designing of user interfaces and users' satisfaction is not deniable, and it is very important in all context.