World Usability Day

In celebration of World Usability Day, observed on November 13, 2025, participants worldwide acknowledge the importance of designing products and services that are easy to use and accessible for everyone.

History of World Usability Day

World Usability Day began in 2005 when the User Experience Professionals Association (formerly the Usability Professionals Association) initiated a global event to focus attention on usability, user-centred design, and universal usability.
The event takes place each year on the second Thursday of November and each year adopts a specific theme focused on a current design or usability challenge.

Why is World Usability Day important?

Usability matters because when products or services are difficult to use, individuals get frustrated, errors increase, and the benefits of technology are reduced. Usable design leads to more efficient, effective, and satisfying experiences.
Moreover, as technologies evolve rapidly—such as AI, augmented reality and immersive interfaces—the human experience and ethical dimensions (privacy, inclusivity, accessibility) become ever more important. World Usability Day provides a focal point for discussion and action around these issues.

Here are some simple reasons why it matters:

• It raises awareness that technology and services should work for people, not against them.
• It encourages designers, developers and organisations to think about the user’s perspective.
• It promotes inclusivity so that diverse user-needs are considered.
• It connects the idea of usability with broader societal and ethical concerns.
• It gives people a chance to reflect on everyday interactions and seek improvements.

How to Celebrate (or Observe) World Usability Day

Whether you are a designer, developer, user-experience advocate, or simply someone using digital tools daily, you can observe the day in meaningful ways. One way is by hosting or attending a talk, workshop or demo that explores usability and accessible design. Another is by reflecting on your own experiences with products—what worked well, what didn’t—and sharing your feedback or thoughts.
Here are some practical ideas:

• Explore an app or website you use often and note one thing that could be easier or more intuitive.
• Give feedback to a service provider about how a product or service could improve its usability.
• Encourage a local group, school or business to host a short session on user-centred design.
• Advocate for inclusive design practices in your workplace or community so that products work for people with diverse abilities.
• Share your own story or example on social media about a time when design helped you or when bad design made things harder.

World Usability Day Dates Table: