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User-Centered Design

User-Centered Design is creating for the specific benefit of users based on their needs.  It is essential to design because if a user finds the design difficult to understand/learn/use, then they will choose to not avoid using it if possible.  User-Centered Design ensures that not only is the design usable and understandable, but also that it relates to you.  This is prevalent on social media apps (such as how Facebook advertisements almost always are something you've been wanting or how Pinterest's feed adds in pins you might also enjoy) and music listening apps (for example, Spotify suggests music based on what you have been listening to).

 The Four Types of User Interfaces are:
  • Graphical User Interfaces
    • This interface is the visual aspect of a consumer interacting through graphic icons and visual aids - not just text.  This includes windows, icons, menus, etc.
  • Voice Interfaces
    • This interface is controlled by a person's voice, such as Apple's Siri or Amazon's Alexa or Window's Cortana.
  • Touch Interfaces
    • This interface uses touch screens for people to use them, such as iPads and smart phones.  
  • Command Line Interfaces
    • These interfaces require that the user has experience using this technology.  This refers to early stages of computers when users had to be taught how to use a complicated system.

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