Empowering users: A lesson from Game DesignAdityo Pratomo
(@kotakmakan)UXID Meetup, 4 September 2015
About Me
Adityo Pratomo aka DiditInteraction designer / creative
coderCo-founder of Labtek Indie, a product R&D company,
focusing on rapid prototyping as a serviceTeaches at Surya
UniversityCurrent research: UI for gestural input and VR
I Learn UX from Interactive Art Installation
Interactive Art, Game, Website, App
User comes first
Focus of HCI: Useful, Useable, UsedCoined by Alan DixUseful:
something that fulfils its functionsUseable: something that can be
used to accomplish certain goalUsed: something that is actually
used by somebodyThese are traits that we are looking for at
interactive products
How Long do you want it to be used?New York Times? (2001 -
present)
How Long do you want it to be used?Google Wave (May 2009 -
August 2010)
User Empowerment to the Rescue
What is it?Elements that appears by design that empowers users
to do something that they cant previously doGoes hand in hand with
the basic premise of UX, which allows them to use interactive
product in a pleasant mannerLooking at the bigger picture, the
products functionality is then questioned in regards to its value
towards societyCaters to long time user of a product
Why it is important?What I hope Im most remembered for is
getting past the idea of user-friendly. I dont think people want
friendly computers. What they want is a sense of power to get their
job done.
Ben Shneiderman
Why it is important?The second reason usability is not opposed
to fun is that the greatest joy of using computers comes through
user empowerment and engagement
Jakob Nielsen
Why is it Important?Empowered users are happy users. Creating
great and happy experiences is all about control. For the user,
control is knowing and understanding the options and being able to
make the right decision. For us, control is about refining the
experience until the user is always empowered to take the next
step.[http://smashingideas.com/customers-rule-why-the-right-user-experience-agency-matters/]
Why is it Important?You want the user to use the product for as
long as it lives and keeps on coming back for moreYou want the user
to grow with the productYou want the product to be meaningful, a
step beyond accomplish certain missionThats why your product should
aim to empower its user
Trait of User Empowerment:Meaningful ChoicesTaskTaskTask
TaskTask
Task
TaskGoal
Meaningless choice
Prime ExamplesGmailMain goal: read and send emailUser
empowerment: drag and drop attachment, reminder when no attachment
is attached, integration with 3rd party service, etc.Apple
MusicMain goal: instant access to any music on the planetUser
empowerment: personalised radio station, choice of preferred genre,
suggested music, etc.Street FighterMain goal: deplete your opponent
energy firstUser empowerment: various special moves, special
techniques, power bar, etc.
Types of User EmpowermentFeature LevelProduct LevelSociety
Level
Your notes, everywhere
Have access to ojek driver from your hand
Feature rich product that makes you coming back for moreThe
premise of the product is already empowering by itselfEmpower the
user by looking at the bigger picture (e.g. public
transportation)more actions related to digital photo editing
Learning from Game Design - Why?Interactive product
(website/app) promises functionality to user, to help him/her
accomplishes certain goalGame only promises funGame has always been
user-centric from the very beginning. Because - Game only promises
funThus, it relies heavily on empowering user - to do the
unimaginable, to beat increasingly difficult hurdles - so that
players always coming back.In this sense, UX design becomes very
parallel with game design
Ways to User Empowerment(this applies for games/apps/
website)Design product that makes the user feels powerful and
specialTalk to the potential users and try to describe the idea. Is
it exciting for them?Games have storyApps/websites have strong
premise of what problem they try to solve
Ways to User Empowerment(this applies for games/apps/
website)
low risk/low rewardhigh risk/high rewardplayer
Apply meaningful choicesGive the user freedom to choose This
makes them feel powerful and appreciated
Ways to User Empowerment(this applies for games/apps/
website)Give the user the potential of becoming more powerfulWith
that, user can reach the goal fasterThis doesnt need to happen
instantly - (hence the word power user)In short, give the user the
opportunity to grow with the product, never hinder his/her
development
Ways to User Empowerment(this applies for games/apps/
website)Watch the flowThe product should give room so that the
users can challenge themselves to improve the usage of the
productThe product should appreciate and expect the growth in the
users skill
Ways to User Empowerment(this applies for games/apps/
website)Give increasingly growing rewardexample: simple statistics
(points, number of friends, followers, impressions), badge,
voucher, etc.Or, instant gratification that shows their
achievement
Ways to User Empowerment(this applies for games/apps/
website)Make sure the interface reflects that the user have full
control of what they want to do with/inside the productRemember,
full control = full power
SummaryUser empowerment encourages user to use your product for
a long timeAchieve this by giving the user a chance to choose from
variety of meaningful choices that helps them achieve the goalFor
inspiration, look at the nearest game and how they continuously
challenge their player
Please, make a worthwhile and everlasting productFurther
discussions are encouraged!mailto:
[email protected]@kotakmakanadityo.netlinkedin.com/in/apratomo
