Jakob Nielsen
- Born:
- October 5, 1957, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Nationality:
- Danish
- Profession(s):
- Usability Consultant, Web Usability Expert, Author, Speaker
Early Life and Education
- Received a Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction from the Technical University of Denmark.
- Master's degree in Computer Science and Psychology from the Technical University of Denmark.
Career and Major Achievements
- Co-founded Nielsen Norman Group with Don Norman in 1998.
- Previously worked at Sun Microsystems as a Distinguished Engineer.
- Pioneered the "discount usability engineering" approach, emphasizing rapid and iterative usability testing.
- Known for his research and advocacy for user-centered design on the web.
- His work often sparked discussions, and the phrase "jakob nielsen alert box stream" became associated with debates on web design best practices, even if not directly linked to any single formal publication of his.
Notable Works
- Usability Engineering (1993)
- Designing Web Usability: The Practice of Simplicity (2000)
- Numerous research reports and articles on web usability, mobile usability, and other areas of human-computer interaction.
- Established and maintains the Alertbox column on the Nielsen Norman Group website, providing insights into current usability trends.
Legacy and Impact
Jakob Nielsen is a prominent figure in the field of web usability. His work has significantly influenced web design practices, emphasizing the importance of user-centered design and usability testing. His contributions have led to more accessible and user-friendly websites.