Short answer

Prioritize intuitive design and readily accessible support to accommodate users who interact with a product or system infrequently.

Field
User-Centred Design
Source
Computers in Human Behavior (2016)
Method
Literature review and conceptual characterization
Evidence
Moderate effect

Recognizing and designing for the 'Occasional User' is crucial for creating universally accessible and transparent technology interfaces. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2016 study published in Computers in Human Behavior. Using Literature review and conceptual characterization, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Prioritize intuitive design and readily accessible support to accommodate users who interact with a product or system infrequently.

Study
User-Centred DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Occasional Users: A Neglected Persona Requiring Dedicated Design Attention

Recognizing and designing for the 'Occasional User' is crucial for creating universally accessible and transparent technology interfaces.

Computers in Human Behavior · 2016

01

Key Findings

  • 01Established user categories (novice, intermediate, expert) are insufficient in the current technological landscape.
  • 02The 'Occasional User' (OU) is characterized by uncertainty regarding repetitive use and limited knowledge of interface functioning.
  • 03Designing for OUs requires a shift from assuming prospective use and prior knowledge to creating universally accessible and transparent interactions.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Prioritize intuitive design and readily accessible support to accommodate users who interact with a product or system infrequently.

How to apply

When designing any digital product or interface, explicitly consider the needs of users who will only interact with it occasionally. Ensure core functionalities are discoverable and understandable without extensive memorization.

Project actions

  • 01When defining your target audience, consider if 'occasional users' are relevant and how you will cater to them.
  • 02Use user personas that reflect infrequent interaction patterns.
  • 03Incorporate clear, concise instructions and intuitive navigation.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo characterize the 'Occasional User' and provide design principles for interfaces that accommodate users with infrequent interaction and limited prior knowledge.
MethodLiterature review and conceptual characterization
ProcedureThe study reviewed existing user classifications (novice, intermediate, expert) and identified a gap in the literature concerning users who interact with interfaces sporadically. Based on this review and observed technological shifts, the authors developed a new characterization of the 'Occasional User' (OU).
ContextUser Interface (UI) design and human-computer interaction

Variables

IVUser classification (novice, intermediate, expert, occasional)
DVUser interface (UI) design considerations, user needs, strategies, and goals
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Identifies a previously under-specified user group.
  • +Provides a conceptual framework for designing more inclusive interfaces.

Limitations

The definition of an 'occasional user' can be subjective and difficult to quantify precisely in a design project.

Reliability & validity

The conceptual nature of the study limits direct assessment of reliability and validity in an empirical sense. The characterization's validity relies on its explanatory power and utility in informing design practice.

Think critically

How might the definition of an 'occasional user' vary across different types of technology (e.g., a complex professional software versus a simple mobile app)?

05

Design Principles

"Design for clarity and immediate comprehension, assuming minimal prior user knowledge or recent interaction."

Traditional user classifications often overlook individuals who interact with technology infrequently. Understanding the unique needs and behaviours of these occasional users allows designers to move beyond assumptions of expertise and create more inclusive, intuitive, and less intimidating user experiences.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Some people only use apps or websites once in a while. This research says we need to design them so they're easy to figure out even if you haven't used them before and don't remember everything.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference this study when discussing user research and the limitations of traditional user categorizations in your design project.
  • 2.Justify design decisions by explaining how they address the needs of occasional users identified in this research.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The established user classifications of novice, intermediate, and expert, while historically significant, may not adequately address the needs of all users in contemporary design practice. Research by Carrillo et al. (2016) highlights the 'Occasional User' (OU), a category characterized by infrequent interaction and limited interface knowledge. This perspective underscores the importance of designing for accessibility and transparency, ensuring that technology remains usable and understandable for individuals who do not engage with it regularly, thereby promoting a more universal and inclusive user experience.

09

Source

Computers in Human Behavior

A reflective characterisation of occasional user

journal · 2016

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about occasional users: a neglected persona requiring dedicated design attention?
Prioritize intuitive design and readily accessible support to accommodate users who interact with a product or system infrequently. Evidence: Computers in Human Behavior (2016).
Why does "Occasional Users: A Neglected Persona Requiring Dedicated Design Attention" matter for design?
Traditional user classifications often overlook individuals who interact with technology infrequently. Understanding the unique needs and behaviours of these occasional users allows designers to move beyond assumptions of expertise and create more inclusive, intuitive, and less intimidating user experiences.
How can designers apply this research?
Prioritize intuitive design and readily accessible support to accommodate users who interact with a product or system infrequently.
What were the main findings?
Established user categories (novice, intermediate, expert) are insufficient in the current technological landscape.. The 'Occasional User' (OU) is characterized by uncertainty regarding repetitive use and limited knowledge of interface functioning.. Designing for OUs requires a shift from assuming prospective use and prior knowledge to creating universally accessible and transparent interactions.
What research method was used?
Literature review and conceptual characterization.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2016 journal from Computers in Human Behavior.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing any digital product or interface, explicitly consider the needs of users who will only interact with it occasionally. Ensure core functionalities are discoverable and understandable without extensive memorization.
What are the limitations?
The characterization is based on a conceptual review rather than empirical testing with a defined sample of occasional users.