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Software user experience enhancement through user-centred design and co-design approach

Software user experience enhancement through user-centred design and co-design approach
Software user experience enhancement through user-centred design and co-design approach
User-centred design skills play an important role in crafting a positive and intuitive user experience for software applications. Embracing a user-centric design approach involves understanding the needs, preferences, and behaviours of the end-users throughout the design process. This mindset not only enhances the usability of the software but also fosters a deeper connection between the digital product and its users. This paper encompasses a 6-month knowledge exchange collaboration project between an academic institution and an external industry in 2023 in the UK; it aims to improve the user experience of a digital platform utilized for a knowledge management tool, to understand users' preferences for features, identify sources of frustration, and pinpoint areas for enhancement. This research conducted one of the most effective methods to implement user-centred design through co-design workshops for testing user onboarding experiences that involve the active participation of users in the design process. More specifically, in January 2023, we organized eight co-design workshops with a diverse group of 11 individuals. Throughout these co-design workshops, we accumulated a total of 11 hours of qualitative data in both video and audio formats. Subsequently, we conducted an analysis of user journeys, identifying common issues and potential areas for improvement within three insights. This analysis was pivotal in guiding the knowledge management software in prioritizing feature enhancements and design improvements. Employing a user-centred design thinking process, we developed a series of graphic design solutions in collaboration with the software management tool company. These solutions were targeted at refining onboarding user experiences, workplace interfaces, and interactive design. Some of these design solutions were translated into tangible interfaces for the knowledge management tool. By actively involving users in the design process and valuing their input, developers can create products that are not only functional but also resonate with the end-users, ultimately leading to greater success in the competitive software landscape. In conclusion, this paper not only contributes insights into designing onboarding user experiences for software within a co-design approach but also presents key theories on leveraging the user-centred design process in software design to enhance overall user experiences.
Wang, Shan
2b1ad86d-56f3-4d1c-95f4-ba86c550b19f
Alhathal, Fahad Ibrahim
213202c2-ef95-4116-876d-55dbd8cf775a
Subramanian, Hari
4eaf883f-b5b0-4f01-9ed3-f30fdbc9c327
Wang, Shan
2b1ad86d-56f3-4d1c-95f4-ba86c550b19f
Alhathal, Fahad Ibrahim
213202c2-ef95-4116-876d-55dbd8cf775a
Subramanian, Hari
4eaf883f-b5b0-4f01-9ed3-f30fdbc9c327

Wang, Shan, Alhathal, Fahad Ibrahim and Subramanian, Hari (2025) Software user experience enhancement through user-centred design and co-design approach. ICEADS 2025 : International Conference on Engineering and Design Sciences, , Rome, Italy. 01 - 02 May 2025. (In Press)

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Abstract

User-centred design skills play an important role in crafting a positive and intuitive user experience for software applications. Embracing a user-centric design approach involves understanding the needs, preferences, and behaviours of the end-users throughout the design process. This mindset not only enhances the usability of the software but also fosters a deeper connection between the digital product and its users. This paper encompasses a 6-month knowledge exchange collaboration project between an academic institution and an external industry in 2023 in the UK; it aims to improve the user experience of a digital platform utilized for a knowledge management tool, to understand users' preferences for features, identify sources of frustration, and pinpoint areas for enhancement. This research conducted one of the most effective methods to implement user-centred design through co-design workshops for testing user onboarding experiences that involve the active participation of users in the design process. More specifically, in January 2023, we organized eight co-design workshops with a diverse group of 11 individuals. Throughout these co-design workshops, we accumulated a total of 11 hours of qualitative data in both video and audio formats. Subsequently, we conducted an analysis of user journeys, identifying common issues and potential areas for improvement within three insights. This analysis was pivotal in guiding the knowledge management software in prioritizing feature enhancements and design improvements. Employing a user-centred design thinking process, we developed a series of graphic design solutions in collaboration with the software management tool company. These solutions were targeted at refining onboarding user experiences, workplace interfaces, and interactive design. Some of these design solutions were translated into tangible interfaces for the knowledge management tool. By actively involving users in the design process and valuing their input, developers can create products that are not only functional but also resonate with the end-users, ultimately leading to greater success in the competitive software landscape. In conclusion, this paper not only contributes insights into designing onboarding user experiences for software within a co-design approach but also presents key theories on leveraging the user-centred design process in software design to enhance overall user experiences.

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Accepted/In Press date: May 2025
Additional Information: This paper has been accepted by Engineering and Design Sciences, May 2025 in Rome
Venue - Dates: ICEADS 2025 : International Conference on Engineering and Design Sciences, , Rome, Italy, 2025-05-01 - 2025-05-02

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 500776
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/500776
PURE UUID: 17492d07-b3a3-40bb-828b-ad0d9edf2868
ORCID for Shan Wang: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-3530-6232
ORCID for Fahad Ibrahim Alhathal: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-2478-1449

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 13 May 2025 16:41
Last modified: 22 Aug 2025 02:37

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Contributors

Author: Shan Wang ORCID iD
Author: Fahad Ibrahim Alhathal ORCID iD
Author: Hari Subramanian

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