For the second time, our UX experts held a seminar unit for Bachelor students of business informatics at the Leipzig University. On this day, the elective module, specialising in e-commerce, focused entirely on user experience.
The first step was to clarify what is generally understood by UX and what role usability plays in it. Using hands-on examples, our Xperts showed the students what exactly constitutes good UX. The 10 heuristics identified by usability guru Nielsen played an important role. Once a clear distinction had been made between UX and UI, the next step was to emphasise the importance and benefits of successful UX. Both companies and the users of their software products benefit significantly from a good user experience.
The next section of the seminar focussed specifically on the methods required to produce good UX. These can be broken down into two main areas: research & design. It is important to understand that good UX can generally only be achieved if research precedes design. Only those who empirically understand what users need can build software products that fulfil the requirements and needs of users.
Our experts provided the students with the most common research methods, such as user story mapping, usability and guerrilla testing. From the field of UX design, they introduced design gestures, persona creation and, of course, prototyping. Our experts repeatedly drew on their wide-ranging experience and supported the theory with practical examples.
Before the students got to be part of guerrilla testing themselves, there was a brief excursion into the field of dark patterns. Like any effective tool, UX can also be misused for ethically questionable purposes - especially in e-commerce. With our corporate philosophy, we stand for responsible software products and find it important to point out manipulative designs and processes.
A relaxed Q&A session with the students and Prof Dr Rainer Alt (holder of the Chair of Application Systems) then introduced guerrilla testing. One of the seminar participants analysed a prototype brought along by our Xperts using the think-aloud method.
The entire seminar was characterised by an open atmosphere and our Xpert’s meme game further lightened the mood. We have been collaborating with universities in the region for years and work closely with their students. We see ourselves as a link between science and practice and want to continue to strengthen this connection with our work. With our university partnerships, we create important prospects for young people in and around Leipzig.
You can find out more about our UX work here.