This document summarizes a UX design class that covered heuristics. The class discussed the history of heuristics, the top 10 heuristics according to Nielsen and Shneiderman, including feedback, consistency, user control and error prevention. It also provided examples of applying heuristics to social media profiles and in evaluating two vendor designs. The document aimed to explain why learning heuristics is useful for defending designs, speaking a common language with other UX designers and staying knowledgeable in UX.

1. heuristics
101
UX Camp
June 6, 2015
Kamaria Campbell | @kaccampbell

2. today’s class
• heuristics history
• top 10 heuristics to know
• test

3. Heuristic is a fancy word for a rule, guideline,
or principle.

4. why learn heuristics?
• can’t always talk to users
• defend designs
• speak a common language
with other UXers
• stay at the top of your
game

5. heuristics gurus
Ben Shneiderman and Jakob Nielsen

6. top ten

7. 1-feedback and
visibility

8. 2-match between system
and real world

9. 3-user control and
freedom

10. 4-consistency and
standards

11. 5-error prevention

12. 6-minimize memory
load

13. 7-support novice and
expert users

14. 8-aesthetic and
minimalist design

15. 9-useful error
messages

17. 10-help and
documentation

19. TEST TIME

26. heuristics for social
profiles and feeds
1. fill out all expected fields
2. seek out account verification
3. post regularly
4. respond to followers
5. use features such as lists and
favorites
6. post images and videos

27. why should Lionel
listen to you?
1. consistency and standards
2. match between system and real
world
3. feedback
4. support novice and expert
users

29. vendor a

30. vendor b

31. vendor a
1. user
control
2. support
for novice
and expert
users

32. vendor b
1. minimizes memory
load
2. aesthetic and
minimalist design
3. user control

33. Congratulations! You passed!

34. Rules are made to be broken.