What is the purpose of 'user testing' in product design?

User testing plays a crucial role in product design by focusing on gathering insights regarding how real users interact with a product. This process involves observing users in a controlled environment or through feedback sessions to identify areas where the product is intuitive and where it may lead to confusion or difficulty. By doing so, designers can make informed adjustments to enhance usability, improve functionality, and ensure that the product meets the needs of its intended audience.

Through user testing, valuable qualitative and quantitative data is collected, which helps in understanding user behavior, preferences, and pain points. The feedback received allows designers to iterate on the design, make essential modifications, and ultimately create a more user-friendly product that aligns with user expectations and enhances overall satisfaction.