Staying connected is a priority for most teenagers who want to keep in touch and share content with their friends.
This is according to Eric Marillet, director, senior consultant and User Research Lab director at Axance, a digital user experience agency in France.
Marillet says that because of teenagers' desire to stay connected, devices or services for this generation must be “community-oriented”. He explains that during Axance's research, the majority of teenagers interviewed said staying connected was one of the most important things to them.
According to Marillet, this is why Facebook is very popular among teenagers. He explains that Facebook lets users keep informed about what their friends are doing, while also allowing them to share pictures or videos with their friends and to chat with their friends online.
In addition to making devices and services that are “community-oriented”, Marillet says designers must ensure their products are quick and easy to use. He explains that teenagers do not want to spend time learning how to use something, or defining parameters or references.
Marillet explains that by having separate devices, teenagers can send SMSes or browse Facebook on their phones while listening to music on their MP3 players.
Marillet is one of the speakers at the upcoming UX Masterclass, a biannual user experience class hosted by the UXalliance. The class will focus on issues that have to be addressed when creating products that deliver a good user experience.
Marillet will present findings from several research projects by Axance, focusing on the digital lives of teenagers. Topics to be covered include: the use of digital media for communication and entertainment; the digital services teenagers use in their everyday lives (what services and for what purposes); as well as the types of new digital services teenagers expect from various industries.
The UX Masterclass will take place at the Rosebank Hyatt Regency, in Johannesburg, on 30 March. Seats cost R3 000 per delegate, with a group discount available for three or more delegates at R2 500 per seat. For registrations, click here, or e-mail Helga Letowt-Vorbek at helga@mantaray.co.za.
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