The Aesthetics of “Easy to Use” w/ Marty Gage

Experts use heuristics and cognitive theories to explain why something is or is not usable.

But what do things look and act like that are perceived as “user friendly”?

What are the sensory signals that viscerally communicate that a thing is going to be “easy to use”?

This presentation will be a visual description of how people explain “easy to use”, in their own words, using pictures and stimuli.

Characteristics of user-friendliness such as intuitive, obvious, straightforward, familiar, clear, effortless, ergonomic, and organized will be visualized.

These qualities of “easy to use” will come to life through a broad range of categories and contexts including automotive, electronics, banks, tools, food packaging, over-the-counter medications, and appliances.

Making all aspects of life easy is a universal need.

Pictures will be used to make “easy to use” easy to understand.

Marty is a generative research pioneer, VP of User Experience Research at human experience firm Lextant, and author of User Experience Research: Discover What Customers Really Want.

At Lextant, Marty leads a team that defines people’s desired experiences for leading brands such as P&G, ConAgra, Kohler, HP, Whirlpool, Ford, GM, Stellantis, Honda, Lowe’s, GE, GSK, Pfizer, Kimberly Clark, Meta, and Nationwide.

Marty’s academic audiences include The Ohio State University, Arizona State University, and Savannah College of Art and Design, where he and Lextant colleague Spencer Murrell collaborated with SCAD on a course and certificate in “Design Research and Insight Translation.”

Drinks and light refreshments will be provided.
Streaming details will be added closer to the event.

Parking details as a PDF and included below.

Street Parking
250 S HIGH STREET, SUITE 600, COLUMBUS, OH 43215
Metered parking is available surrounding 250 S High.

1. Enter the main entrance on High Street by using the call box to the right of the doors.
2. search the directory for LEXTANT to call our front desk.
3. The attendant will answer and then buzz you in.
4. Once in the lobby, proceed straight to the elevators that are labeled “OFFICE”.
5. Press button and go to the 6th floor.

Columbus Commons Parking Garage
55 E RICH STREET, COLUMBUS, OH 43215
Due to one-way roads:
If you are coming from the east, enter parking garage at Rich Street. If you are coming from the west, enter parking garage at Main Street.

1. To access our building from the garage, you will need to park on Level 3 in any available spot that is not labeled, reserved, or Permit Parking.
2. On Level 3, walk to Row K and go about halfway down to the doors that say HOME.
3. Using the call box, search the directory for LEXTANT to call our front desk. The attendant will answer and then press the button to open the door.
4. Once inside, please take a left and go through the door that leads to the OFFICE elevators and take the passenger elevator to the 6th floor.

Note: Level 3 of Parking Garage = Level 2 of Office Building.