Reflections.

Simplify, simplify, simplify: Even when I thought the functionality could not be any simpler, older users still struggled with basic tasks in testing. I found I needed to keep simplifying and clarifying tasks throughout my development process.

Giving credit where credit is due: Keeping track of who created what image by adding info to the file name helped to keep track of who to give credit to once everything I didn’t use was lying on the cutting floor. I ended up needing a great deal of imagery and found that I really needed to institute a better process for handling this from the start.

When in doubt, reach out: Soliciting feedback repeatedly was critical because of the sheer volume and complexity of the information contained within it and the wide variety of different types of users. There was not a particular age group or gender or education level for my user, so it needed to appeal to and be functional for a wide audience. It couldn’t be so simple, it would be goofy for younger users, or too complex or the older users would have been left behind. It was a dance between the two.

Going forward: It was a challenge to reign the project in because early on it was obvious that there was potential to expand into eCommerce. Testers suggested offering non-toxic furniture, décor items, books, etc. It was exciting to see these possibilities, however, and contemplate the next iteration.