Usability Bugs

Understanding the subtle usability bugs
in everyday software, devices, and anything "designed".

Usability Challenge Day 2008

Today is Usability Challenge Day. I'll just repeat the words from the Facebook group instead of trying rephrase the idea in my words.

  1. Find a usability problem. It could be a poorly designed toaster, a confusing or redundant letter from your bank, or even a problem with your experience boarding, flying and disembarking an aeroplane.
  2. Design a solution. Solve the usability problem, and write your solution down, sketch it up or (if you're feeling particularly keen) make a quick prototype of the improved product/service.
  3. Share it with a person who can solve the problem by implementing your solution. Write to the toaster designer, call your bank manager, or talk to a stewardess. Hand him/her your idea. Encourage them to implement it. Be persuasive! And don't forget to post what you've done on the Google Group or the Facebook group).

Who can participate?

Anyone can participate in the 2008 Usability Challenge - whether you're a design professional or a simply someone who is driven to improve things that don't work as well as they should. Join us in making the world a better/safer/less annoying place.

A little bit of legal stuff

The creators of the Usability Challenge take no responsibility whatsoever for any direct or indirect consequences as a result of your/anyone's participation in the Usability Challenge or related events. All aspects of your of participation are your responsibility, so take care.

So there! Get started, what are you waiting for!

About this Blog

I started this blog on World Usability Day 2006 to spread awareness of usability bugs in common software and designs, and to highlight the fact that these really are bugs, no less important than functionality bugs.

I'm a Ph.D. student in Human-Computer Interaction at Virginia Tech. During the past three Summers, I interned at Google, Mountain View. You can find more about me at manas.tungare.name.