This glossary defines key terms related to user experience (UX) design, usability, and digital governance. It serves as a quick reference for stakeholders, designers, developers, and decision-makers involved in creating user-centered digital platforms.
Glossary of Key Terms
1. Accessibility
The practice of making digital platforms usable for people with disabilities, including those with visual, auditory, cognitive, or motor impairments. Accessibility often involves adhering to standards like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).
2. Analytics
The collection and analysis of data about user behavior on a platform. Analytics tools help track metrics such as page views, bounce rates, and user flow to improve decision-making.
3. Assistive Technologies
Devices or software designed to assist individuals with disabilities in interacting with digital platforms. Examples include screen readers, magnification tools, and voice recognition software.
4. Breadcrumb Navigation
A secondary navigation system that shows users their location within a website or application. Breadcrumbs are often displayed as a trail (e.g., Home > Services > Payment) to help users navigate back to previous pages.
5. Call to Action (CTA)
A prompt that encourages users to take a specific action, such as “Sign Up,” “Submit,” or “Learn More.” CTAs are typically buttons or links designed to stand out visually.
6. Color Contrast
The difference in luminance between foreground (e.g., text) and background colors. Sufficient contrast is essential for readability and accessibility, particularly for users with visual impairments.
7. Design System
A set of reusable components, guidelines, and tools that ensure consistency in design and development across a platform. Design systems include elements like typography, color palettes, and UI components.
8. Heatmap
A visual representation of user interactions on a platform. Heatmaps use color gradients to show where users click, scroll, or hover, helping identify areas of interest or confusion.
9. Information Architecture (IA)
The organization and structure of content within a platform to make it easy for users to navigate and find information. IA includes categorizing, labeling, and creating navigation hierarchies.
10. Iterative Design
A cyclic process of prototyping, testing, analyzing, and refining a platform to improve its usability and functionality. Each iteration incorporates feedback to make incremental improvements.
11. Mobile-First Design
An approach to design that prioritizes mobile devices by creating layouts and features optimized for smaller screens before adapting them for larger devices like desktops.
12. Multilingual Support
Features that allow platforms to provide content in multiple languages, catering to diverse user groups. It enhances accessibility for non-native speakers.
13. Navigation
The system that allows users to move through a platform. Good navigation ensures users can easily find what they need using menus, links, and search functions.
14. Prototyping
The process of creating a preliminary version of a platform or feature to test its design and functionality. Prototypes can range from simple wireframes to interactive mockups.
15. Responsive Design
A design approach that ensures platforms adapt seamlessly to various screen sizes and devices, providing an optimal experience for both desktop and mobile users.
16. Screen Reader
Assistive software that reads text on a screen aloud, allowing visually impaired users to interact with digital platforms. Examples include JAWS (Job Access With Speech) and NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access).
17. Usability
The ease with which users can interact with a platform to achieve their goals. Key aspects of usability include simplicity, efficiency, and user satisfaction.
18. User Experience (UX)
The overall experience users have when interacting with a platform, encompassing usability, design, accessibility, and emotional responses.
19. User Interface (UI)
The visual elements of a platform, including buttons, menus, and icons, that enable users to interact with it. UI design focuses on aesthetics and functionality.
20. User Persona
A fictional representation of a platform’s target user, created based on research and data. Personas help guide design decisions by reflecting user goals, needs, and behaviors.
21. User Testing
A process where real users interact with a platform to identify usability issues and gather feedback. User testing helps validate design choices and improve functionality.
22. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
A set of internationally recognized guidelines for making digital content accessible to people with disabilities. WCAG outlines principles like perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust (POUR).
23. Wireframe
A basic visual representation of a platform’s structure and layout. Wireframes focus on content placement and functionality without incorporating visual design elements.
24. Workflow
A series of steps or processes users follow to complete a task on a platform. Optimizing workflows ensures efficiency and reduces user effort.
25. Zero State
The initial state of a page or feature when there is no content or data to display. Designing an informative zero state helps guide users on what to do next. The visual elements of a platform, including buttons, menus, and icons, that enable users to interact with it. UI design focuses on aesthetics and functionality.
Using the Glossary
This glossary provides concise definitions to enhance understanding of UX-related concepts. Refer to it while reading guidelines, conducting UX audits, or implementing best practices to ensure clarity and consistency across teams. Understanding these terms helps foster collaboration and ensures alignment in creating user-centered digital platforms.