The UX Five-Second Rules: Guidelines for User Experience Design's Simplest Testing Technique

by Paul Doncaster

Overview

The five-second test is one of the most convenient rapid UX testing methods available, although its value can be compromised by ignoring the restrictions of the method. The Five-Second Rules uses detailed examples from a collection of more than 300 tests to describe the strengths and weaknesses of this rapid testing method. Readers will learn about the "five-second rules" for getting useful data, and will explore what types of design issues can be resolved by using the method.

A five-second test (also known as "timeout test" and "exposure test") involves displaying a visual or informational design for five seconds, removing it from view, then asking what aspects were recalled most easily or vividly. The goal is to understand what stands out most about a design or product, and the impact on the viewer's perception of it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780128005347
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	03/27/2014
Pages:	140
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.70(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Paul Doncaster graduated from Bentley University's Human Factors in Information Design master's degree program in 2007, and has since worked on highly-complex UX projects within the domains of course technology, legal and intellectual property. He has written and spoken on many UX topics, including designing for emotional response, online readability, and designing for tablet users in the legal domain.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1. The Method

Chapter 2. The Five-Second Rules

Chapter 3. Special Topic: Testing for Emotional Response

Chapter 4. Special Topic: Testing for Trust/Credibility

Chapter 5. Outside-the Box Uses

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

A succinct guidebook to this useful UX design test

Editorial Reviews

"...teaches you everything you need to know about how to design a sound user survey, including how to design sound questions, how to ensure images being tested are accessible, how to properly order survey questions to maximize response rates, and more." —Technical Communication, The UX Five-Second Rules

"... I came away with a clear understanding of when to use the five-second test method, and an even stronger respect for the ability to write high-performing online study questions."—User Experience Magazine, The UX Five-Second Rules

"For those readers who are considering or already working with the five-second test technique, this is a worthwhile book. It is a short and quick read that will help these groups be more effective in working with this method of evaluation." - Computing Reviews

From the Publisher