Thoughts on UI and UX in a Web 2.0 World.

I believe that in today’s day and age some of the rules pertaining to traditional UI and User Experience have become a little outdated. Not that they are wrong, but rather that, several things have changed since the end of the 80’s where computers really began to become a house hold name.

We started with the assumption that most people are not familiar with the internet or computers

We progressed to a point where we assumed…many people are computer savvy. However, there is exception and it is paramount that we note that exception and design to that base standard. Again, in doing so we must also allow for advanced users to do what they need, without being forced through the process in a wizard.

We are now at a point where the American teenagers of today have never known what it is like not to have the internet. They have grown up with Nintendo and cell phones. Over all, I believe – The majority of users are much more computer literate than in previous years. This in mind, are the current UI standards still as appropriate today as they were when they were initially written? Or is this something that needs to evolve with the growth of technology to embrace new ideas? It seems to me that with the evolution of computer technology and e-commerce…with the growth of the web – We are forced to reconsider design and consider changes in the standards and guidelines that govern our current thought process when creating UI & UX oriented material.

I am not saying that the way things are being done now are incorrect. I am simply making the observation that as the web grows and as people become ...er...jacked in...(perhaps it would be more friendly to say connected)... As people become more connected to the internet through every day tasks,the evolution must take place in all areas and not just in the end user but also in the assumptions and understandings of the day to day routine of the end user. We must keep in mind certain familiarities and keep the standards fluid.

As the Internet evolves, so does the user... and so does the way that the people interact. To set a standard is, to me, like driving the spike into the dirt along the road and eventually... you will no longer see that spike in you rear view mirror.