Customer-Centered Publications  

The ultimate goal of today's technical communicator is to provide customers with product information that is clear, concise, and easy to use. Our panel will explore strategies for achieving excellence in designing and developing task-oriented user education materials.

Burgess, Gloria J., Chris Dahl, and Margy Kotick. STC Proceedings (1993). Articles>TC>User Centered Design

Developing Customer-Driven Quality Measurements For Documents  

This paper serves as a description of the demonstration on developing customer-driven quality measurements for documents. Originally presented as a workshop at the 1993 STC Conference in Dallas, the content was modified based on participant evaluations. In addition, the format was changed to a demonstration session to allow for a more flexible presentation method based on participation and time constraints. The session will use as many hands-on exercises as possible to reinforce its objectives.

Fisher, Charles D., Jr. STC Proceedings (1994). Articles>TC>Assessment>User Centered Design

How Technical Communicators Can Apply User-Centered Design to Their Work

The user-centered design process applies to designing a piece of technical communication as well as designing a product. Placing the user at the center of the design and development process for information ensures that a usable piece of communication will be delivered to the customer. Technical communicators can apply each of the user-centered design (UCD) tasks to their own writing process and information development cycle.

Fisher, Lori H. Usability Interface (2000). Design>User Centered Design>TC

The Need for a Design Lexicon:  Examining Minimalist, Performance-Centered, and User-Centered Design    

Explores and compares three key design strategies that underlie the development of EPSSs: minimalism, performance-centered design, and user-centered design. Closes with observations on how the three strategies are converging

Mackenzie, Colleen. Technical Communication Online (2002). Articles>User Centered Design>TC

Personas and the Technical Communicator

What's the problem with personas? They're a new concept to many communicators, and thus sufficiently unfamiliar to make them difficult to use. To help solve this problem, I developed a couple of personas to show you how it's done, and illustrate their implications for documentation.

Hart, Geoffrey J.S. Usability Interface (2006). Articles>TC>User Centered Design>Personas

Roles and Skills for Technical Communicators in User-Centered Design  

This paper discusses how technical communicators fit into the over all user-centered design (UCD) process, and how technical communicators can start applying user-centered design principles to their work. UCD principles can help technical communicators add value to the design of information, as well as to the overall design of a product. The paper addresses both the traditional and new skills that technical communicators need to acquire to become effective members of a UCD team.

Fisher, Lori H. STC Proceedings (1996). Articles>User Centered Design>TC

User-Centered Design and the Role of Technical Communicators  

This panel provides an introduction to and overview of the principles of user-centered design, and gives real- world, practical examples of how technical communicators can implement these principles in their work. The panel is intended for any technical communicator or manager designing user documentation, including training materials, or the user interfaces of hardware or software products. It does not assume any prior knowledge of user-centered design principles. It does assume familiarity with a product development process and with basic technical communication and usability principles.

Fisher, Lori H., Candace Soderston, Thyra L. Rauch and Frederick P. Szydlik. STC Proceedings (1996). Design>User Centered Design>TC

Putting the Wrecking Ball to the User Interface (UI)

Does a truly intuitive user interface exist? The author of this blog post doesn't think so. To create one, designers and developers really need to put the wrecking ball to the UI as it is now.

Nesbitt, Scott. DMN Communications (2009). Articles>User Interface>TC>User Centered Design

User-Centered Design for Technical Communicators

How can user-centered design principles be applied to technical communication?

Sansbury, Will. WillSansbury.com (2009). Presentations>User Centered Design>TC