Modern Technology Interfaces: Usability, Sociability Challenges and Decision-Making

Abstract

This chapter discusses the interface aspect and explores the concept of user experience design and how this design is affected by emotions evoked by interface aesthetics and interface functionality. Concepts such as usability and sociability are presented, as well as challenges in decision-making that the designers face. The selected example deals with digital interfaces that allow for interactions between different users, and the design considers the element of user-to-user communication as part of the experience. The type of digital interface explored in the example is one used for mentoring, i.e. it allows for knowledge exchange between the different types of users. The design of the interface can play an important role in improving the user experience. When referring to experience in relation to a specific interface, we generally refer to elements such as interface usability and design features. To achieve improved UX, designers need to consider elements of user experience as part of the design process, and the overall process is referred to as user experience design.