jcassell

+1

But don't you think that even power users desire some system of quick learn-ability? Or do they simply enjoy reveling in their hard-to-come-by knowledge that would deter the average user? I'm hearkening back to Final Cut 7 days here.

True, and I do think there is strong validity in blind user testing so as to better shape and improve initial designs to a more finished form.

However, I do think there is some merit in getting those in the actual field of functional and "good" design (as the author defines it) to weigh in on why precisely your design is just that. In my own UI/UX research, users all too often miss fully comprehending the painstaking research and work that goes into truly effective and good design.

I guess what my argument really is is that I would prefer to weigh more heavily the affirmation of those in the design field rather than a broad range of users with no particular ethos concerning design. Of course, who we end up designing for is the normal user, and what they think is indeed important. However, if 100 people said my design was good vs. hearing that from, say, Mike Matas, I would pick Mike Matas.

I feel that rule number 2, "If you cannot get a group of people for whom your product is designed for to generally agree that your design is good, it’s not good," is generally a double-edged sword. That is, do people outside of design generally know what is or isn't good?

Rule no.3 stating that a group of designers must decide if a design is good or not is far more relevant to what actually is good design, verses the general populace.

That's like asking a group of patients if they think the drug that's being made seems good enough with several side effects or not, verses asking pharmaceutical experts on the matter.

The progression of USB Type-C is simply going to continue to split the web of port connectors as we enter into a season where Thunderbolt 3.0 is already confusing everyday users vs Thunderbolt v.1&2.

What we need is a single identifier for a wireless standard, not the continued progression in port and the problem with icon design. USB was supposed to the universal port, but even what the author suggests will be the dawn of a new era of connectivity, what we really should be relishing are new steps in wireless methodology.