al model to
fit the users’ mental model (interface design, iterations, validation testing, and such).
Takeaways
Design the conceptual model purposefully. Don’t let it “bubble up” from the
technology.
The secret to designing an intuitive user experience is making sure that the conceptual
model of your product matches, as much as possible, the mental models of your audience.
If you get that right, you will have created a positive and useful experience.
If you have a brand new product that you know will not match anyone’s mental model,
you’ll need to provide training to prepare people to create a new mental model.
You may be familiar with the term user-centered design (UCD). A UCD process is a set
of tasks and activities that interface designers and usability specialists conduct to make
sure a Web site or product is easy to learn and use. In my view, the UCD process is onesided
in that it is primarily about understanding what the users’ mental models are (with
task analysis, observations, interviews, and so on); or designing a conceptual model to
fit the users’ mental model (interface design, iterations, validation testing, and such).