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No matter where you are, good design improves experiences. So, if you're still curious about how to define usability, let's step out of the web for a moment and look at some real life examples.
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If you're still curious about how to define usability,
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let's step out of the Web for a moment and look at some real life examples.
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We should be able to spot some similarities to online design
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because no matter where you are, good design improves experiences.
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Let's take a look at the climate control on the dashboard of a car—
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this model features a knob that you can turn to set the temperature inside the car.
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Using colors, users can see that if you turn the knob one way
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the temperature will get cooler; the other way will raise the temperature.
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Newer car models reduce the guess work
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and allow users to set an exact temperature.
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However, present too many knobs or controls
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and the functionality of the interface becomes confusing—
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you're not sure what to push or turn or move.
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Therefore, a balance must be struck, and you can bet
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car companies do many rounds of testing to ensure the interface
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is intuitive and effective.
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Here's another example—buildings are required by law
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to have exit signs placed throughout each floor.
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Safety is one of the central goals behind this design;
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therefore, it's important for people to understand the meaning
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of the sign when they see it.
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When an exit door is near, the exit sign is placed above it.
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Because of the proximity, people can be expected to associate
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the meaning of the sign—an emergency exit—with the door below it.
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If a door is not close by, exit signs also have built-in arrows
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that can be used to provide a visual cue.
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And lastly, these signs need to work at all times,
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so they're visible during the day and they light up at night
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to be seen during darker hours.
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The exit sign can be considered a real life call-to-action of sorts;
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if you need to find an exit for the building you're in,
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the sign tells you where to go.
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The same could be said for many important buttons on websites.
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If you want to find out more information on a certain topic,
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the corresponding menu item is what you would click.
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On a mobile app, the clearly labeled button is what you would touch.
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So, look around where you are right now
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and you'll notice some elements of design
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that went into the room you're sitting in,
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or the car you drive, or even your phone.
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Good design should make things easier to do.
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But the best design is so intuitive, it's often not even noticed by the people that use them.
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Consider this as you work on your own website and app in the future.
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