Design Factors Affect User Experience for Different Cultural Populations

Abstract

With increasing changes in our demographic populations and new immigrants settling in the US, there is an increasing need for visual communications that address the diversity of our populations. This paper draws from the results of the researcher’s several past research and teaching projects that worked with different cultural populations. These projects examined the theme of multicultural design with a particular focus on user experience for audiences from different cultural backgrounds. The nature of the projects included printed materials, web design, video production, and interactive design. The researcher examined users’ preferences for precise language presentation, options of visual layout, cultural related design elements such as images, colors, fonts, and interactive interface design. The goal of this paper is to increase design educators and students’ awareness in designing projects for culturally diverse audiences.