Tech Talk Home>>Episodes>>Season 6
Technology Made Simple
Video
The Easy Button may not be just an advertising gimmick. Wouldn't it be great if computers or even cell phones were easy to use? On this episode of "Tech Talk," we'll discuss how designers and developers make technology simple.
Guests
Caroline Hayes
Caroline Hayes
Caroline is a professor in the Institute of Technology’s Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota. The goals of her research are to understand how to design effective systems of people and technology using an approach that combining elements of engineering, computer science, psychology and management science. By understanding how to design technology that works with, rather than in spite of people, we can be more effective in our work, live more harmoniously with our technological creations, and live better lives.
Her research involves intelligent decision support tools for assisting in complex engineering tasks, such as manufacturing planning and design. Her approaches are based on methods drawn from Artificial Intelligence and on cognitive modeling to create user-centered systems. Projects include: MEDIATOR, a manufacturing planner that can be adapted to suit shop resources; SEDAR, an intelligent design assistant that accelerates the design process by automatically generating several design alternatives and presenting them to the designer for evaluation; and BRS, an intelligent planner that assists military commanders in making good decisions rapidly under adverse conditions.
David Rosen
David Rosen
David is a usability consultant in the Usability Services group at the University of Minnesota. He holds a B.S. in Scientific and Technical Communication from the University of Minnesota. David has worked in Usability Services since the completion of his degree in 2004.
Links
The Web Style Guide was developed at Yale University in 1994, and it's still the best resource for Web design information. The guide offers tips on site and page design as well as guidelines for integrating your users’ needs into your design.
Usability.gov is an online step-by-step usability guide for developing Web sites. The online resource includes guidelines, templates, and examples.
On this episode, we talked about The Design of Everyday Things written by Donald A. Norman was first published in 1986. It examines examples of good and bad design and coined the term "user-centered design" to describe design that focuses on the user's needs.
