[Irl-dean] A wee conundrum

[Joshue O Connor]

> "defining and designing for a set of specific personas helps to avoid the common practice of trying to design for all users". 

Thats either a disturbing Freudian slip or a mistake. Good points also
from our Baz.

I would guess what they (who are they?) were trying to say was something
along the lines of:

>> "defining and designing for a set of specific personas helps to avoid common problems when designing for all users". 

But then again, maybe not. Design for all is a concept many struggle
with. It sounds great, can be easily put on a t-shirt, but what does it
mean?

Personally, I feel that in many ways design-for-all can easily become
design-for-nobody, if approached in the wrong way. We don't need a
politically correct approach to design for all, we need concrete and
commercially sound methodologies. Certain users have particular
requirements that others just don't, and where possible these needs
should to be accommodated in the design process. Design for all seems to
imply that this should also be achieved in an inconspicuous way. So if
these needs can be met (using the model that Barry suggested is sound)
in each specific use case, then the model 'design-for-all' will be a
success.

I guess I am suggesting that in order for design-for-all to work as a
mantra, we need to be very specific about exactly how this is so. I am
of the view that you therefore try and cover all aspects of use and user
requirement, in detail, meet those requirements in the design process,
then step back and try and make it look simple :)

Henry made points about design for all (and I hope I am not mis-quoting
you Henry!) along these lines at the last meeting and I agree.

Good presentation by Henry and Frank also.

Josh




********************************************************************

NOTICE: The information contained in this email and any attachments 
is confidential and may be privileged.  If you are not the intended 
recipient you should not use, disclose, distribute or copy any of 
the content of it or of any attachment; you are requested to notify 
the sender immediately of your receipt of the email and then to 
delete it and any attachments from your system.

NCBI endeavours to ensure that emails and any attachments generated 
by its staff are free from viruses or other contaminants.  However, 
it cannot accept any responsibility for any such which are 
transmitted.  We therefore recommend you scan all attachments.

Please note that the statements and views expressed in this email 
and any attachments are those of the author and do not necessarily 
represent the views of NCBI


********************************************************************