Userfocus Usability Newsletter, June 2015

Welcome to the June edition of the Userfocus usability and user experience newsletter!

Message from the Editor

"Sumer Is Icumen In" sang my ancestors in Wessex 900 years ago. I wonder if they sang this while hunkered in a cave to hide from the wind, rain and hail that usually comes before "Summer" in the UK? If you're having a British Summer too, then your mood will be lightened by this month's article from Dr Philip Hodgson. Philip's article are always insightful, considered and strategic and this one is no exception. I hope you find it useful.

David Travis

6 mistakes that prevent UX teams from having boardroom influence

We're seeing a sea-change in our industry as firms scramble to build fledgling user experience (UX) teams. While this is a sure sign of a maturing discipline, it is not without its teething problems. In particular, the voice of the UX team can sometimes sound more like a whisper. Why do some UX teams fail to achieve the impact expected of them? Here are 6 mistakes we've seen in UX teams that prevent them from having boardroom influence. Read the article in full: 6 mistakes that prevent UX teams from having boardroom influence.

From our archives: Dealing with difficult usability test participants

A common concern of people running usability tests is that sooner or later they'll run into a difficult participant. Who are these difficult characters and how can we prevent them from being a problem? Read the article in full: Dealing with difficult usability test participants.

What we’re reading

Some interesting usability-related articles that got our attention over the last month:

Like these? Want more? Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

Online training in user experience

We have three online training courses in user experience. Save money when you purchase them as a bundle.

User Experience quotation of the month

“What seems to have gone wrong is that people have said one thing and they did something else in the ballot box.” — Peter Kellner, president of YouGov, after extensive opinion polling failed to predict the UK 2015 election result

Hungry for more?

Read previous newsletters.


Foundation Certificate in UX

Gain hands-on practice in all the key areas of UX while you prepare for the BCS Foundation Certificate in User Experience. More details

Download the best of Userfocus. For free.

100s of pages of practical advice on user experience, in handy portable form. 'Bright Ideas' eBooks.

Newsletter archive

Look back over previous newsletters in the newsletter archive.


Our services

Let us help you create great customer experiences.

Training courses

Join our community of UX professionals who get their user experience training from Userfocus. See our curriculum.