This work gives a broad introductory overview of the topic of usability. Firstly, usability is defined and a framework for identifyng different aspects of usability is given. The main principles for creating usable designs are expounded, followed by practical advice as to how to design usable products. The book then tackles the issue of usability evaluation - a series of evaluation methods are described, followed by practical advice as to how to conduct the evaluation.

Manufacturers are coming to see human factors in product design as a major competitive issue. In many product areas manufacturers have reached a technology ceiling making it increasingly difficult to get ahead of the competition in terms of, for example, functionality, technical reliability or manufacturing costs. As a consequence, design has become a major battleground for manufacturers, and usability is recognized as being a central tenet of good design. The book provides a snapshot of current practice in human factors, identifying methods and techniques that work well under tight...