Heuristic Evaluation
Overview
Discord is a widely utilized communication platform that offers free voice, video, and text chat services across desktop, mobile, and web applications. Serving millions of users, Discord provides a space for real-time conversations, fostering connections among friends, family, and communities. Key features include voice and video chat, text messaging, customizable channels, and servers, which collectively create a versatile and dynamic communication environment.
Project Goals
The purpose of the project was to conduct a heuristic evaluation on Discord's user interface using Nielsen's heuristics – a set of thumb rules designed to assess the usability and user experience of software applications. Through this evaluation, the goal was to identify potential usability issues, interface inconsistencies, and areas for improvement within Discord's interface.
Evaluation process
As an evaluator, I will perform two key tasks on Discord
Task 1: Joining a server
Task 2: Creating a channel
By executing these actions, I aim to immerse myself in the user experience, closely observing the platform's interface during these common interactions. The objective is to uncover any potential design enhancements or shortcomings that may impact the overall usability and user experience on Discord.
Neilson's 10 Heuristics
(Source)
Findings
After completing the two tasks, here are my observations and findings:
Consistency
Inconsistent Settings
The inconsistency in settings accessibility within Discord poses a usability problem. Some settings are readily accessible, while others are hidden deep within menus. This leads to user frustration and inefficiency when trying to configure specific options, as users must navigate through various menus and screens, impacting the overall user experience.
User control and freedom
Lack of option to mute users
Discord's absence of an option to mute individual users is a usability problem. Users may encounter disruptive or spammy behavior from certain individuals in servers or channels, and the lack of a mute option limits their control over their own experience.
Flexibility and efficiency of use
Font Size option not available in accessibility settings
One notable observation is that Discord's font scaling option is located in the appearance settings rather than the more common placement in accessibility settings. This divergence in placement may impact user expectations and could be considered for a more intuitive arrangement in future updates.
Visibility of system status
Small Mic Button
The use of a small microphone button in Discord's interface presents a potential usability issue. The button's diminutive size may pose challenges for users in promptly identifying and accessing it, particularly when needing to activate or deactivate their microphone during voice chats or meetings. This can lead to user uncertainty about the status of their microphone, creating a potential usability concern. Consideration for a more prominent or easily recognizable microphone icon could enhance the user experience in such scenarios.
Visibility of system status
Absence of review or rating system for servers
Discord's absence of a feature that allows users to review or rate servers is a usability problem. Such a feature could provide valuable feedback for server owners, help users discover quality servers, and enhance the overall community experience.
Recomendations
Navigation through the site can be more simplified
• Add a way to review or rate servers
• Add a tutorial for new users to help them understand the interface
• Add an option to mute specific users
• Add an accessibility feature to increase text size
• Make the mic button more prominent and noticeable