Last month’s user experience (UX) masterclass conference in Johannesburg was attended by a panel of UX experts from around the globe including delegates from Australia, UK, USA, France, Switzerland, Ireland, Italy, Russia and Canada, including Prezence Digital’s head of product strategy, Lynette Hundermark.
The opportunity to collaborate with these UX community pioneers and global practitioners through presentations, workshops and interactive debates proved to be an affirmation of what Prezence Digital preaches, firstly that “there is a distinct difference between web UX and mobile UX,” says Hundermark.
While web UX has the luxury of space and can accommodate vast amounts of content, mobile UX is significantly different. You have to make efficient use of the smallest amount of space the mobile device has to offer by taking relevance and context into consideration which in turn influences the content.
Creating the perfect mobile user experience is massively challenged by the fact it has to work – and work well – across more than 7500 different devices. You must also take into consideration the user of the device and the context in which they are using the device, i.e. browsing on their phone while standing in a queue.
The mobile UX, is about making lives better and easier, through mobile web sites and apps that offer functionality and lifestyle enrichment. “While design – being the initial visual impact – is crucial, it does not define the entire user experience. Things need to work beautifully, not just look pretty,” comments Hundermark. “Good design is simple, personable and attractive yet compromising on functionality should never be an option.”
According to Hundermark, “everything is moving towards mobile and mobile UX needs to be taken seriously by giving the user what they want, when they want it, and with minimal effort on their part”.
