User-oriented Design Process

In an industrial environment, the user is not the buyer; therefore, we run workshops with the competent departments, during which we bring together the requirements of all business units involved.
We visit production facilities, which enables us to both take into consideration user requirements and analyse the interaction with the software program under realistic conditions.
The individual sequences as well as user tasks and behaviour are recorded and documented. Once the results have been assessed with the producer, they - together with interviews and standardised ISO questionnaires to assess current software quality - then form the basis of a user-focussed conception.

Services
Technical analysis / Usage analysis / Usage requirement / Interviews / Questionnaires ISO 9241-110 / Expert evaluation / Requirements specification

Usability refers to the user-friendliness or fitness for purpose of the software program. In order to achieve optimum usability, the user’s requirements must be collected and understood meticulously; in the subsequent design the must then be implemented in task-oriented operating procedures.
Screen layout, menus, and functions are re-organised and implemented in the form of prototypes. Typical operating situations are elaborated generically and use cases are run through. The results are validated until all requirements are fulfilled.
Usability tests can be run at the manufacturer’s premises or at selected beta clients’ premises.

Services
Usability Engineering / Flowcharts / Wireframes / Workflows / Use cases / Mockups / ISO9241-210 / Tasks / Prototyping / Usability Testing / Evaluation

While the methods of Usability Engineering primarily target effectiveness and efficiency in usability, aspects such as interaction with industrial design and integration of brand or corporate design, as the case may be, must be taken into consideration as well, in order to create a positive user experience. These contribute significantly to how the product in its entirety is perceived.
In order to give the client confidence and operating reliability, it is possible to have e.g. animations providing information regarding interface functionalities or drawing attention to themselves. Swipe and multi-touch gestures also make usability faster and more comfortable, adding to a positive user experience. In the end, systems must be intuitively understandable and should be fun to use.

Services
Interaction Design / Personas / Scenarios / Meaningful transitions / Joy of use / Gamification

The design of the user interface takes into consideration content requirements as well as corporate and industrial design.
Besides colour scheme, visual language, and design of controls,
this also includes information design of e.g. diagnosis data, which are becoming increasingly relevant for machine operation. Icons support important functions and allow fast, language-independent orientation.
A consistent colour concept helps guide the user, thus allowing e.g. to quickly detect errors or further important information provided by the machine.
In connection with Industrie 4.0 and Smart Devices, the design of an application must become more and more adaptable. Responsive Design is the key for the flexible display on different end devices.
Not least is an autonomous and high-quality user interface design an important unique feature and marketing tool.

Services
Screen design / Icon design / Illustrations / Pictograms / Controls / Diagrams / GUI / Data visualisation / Responsive design / Atomic design

In order to guarantee optimal operation, all the information is made available to everyone involved in the project under an on-line documentation (Wiki).
Throughout the entire course of the project, results and specifications will be collected there continuously, and all decisions will be comprehensibly recorded.
At the end of the design phase, the style guide of the user interface is going to be completed with specifications regarding graphic style, measurements, colours, and fonts. If requested, libraries consisting of graphic components and design patterns can be made available to the developers.

Services
Living style guide / Templates / Design pattern / Library / On-line support

Project planning forms the basis of our work and is crucially important for the quality of the end result. Together with our clients, we define project objectives in advance and elaborate strategies to implement them within the given time and budget frame.
In case of complex projects or unclear task formulation, we initially perform an analysis and/or hold workshops.
The technical exchange with different competent departments in particular is a major challenge in more extensive projects. Our experienced employees channel the requirements and quickly acquaint themselves with various topics, if required. Expenditure, delivery times, and quality are monitored constantly.

Services
Requirements specification / Technical specifications / Milestones / Controlling / Risk minimisation / Resource planning / Schedule / Budget / Quality management

Our years of experience as well as our success enable us to provide you with active and competent support in making decisions, thus creating solutions that bring real added value for both the manufacturer and the user.
We advise our clients comprehensively, as the distribution concept and the product strategy have to be tailored to the new software as well. The decision to invest in a new, future-proof user interface is often the beginning of a much larger and more far-reaching restructuring process. Since we are acquainted with these processes and their interrelations with design and development projects, we support our customers with the realisation and implementation as well.

Services
Workshops / Strategy / Change management / Sustainability / Security / Industrie 4.0 / Internet of things