General Research
To begin my investigation into User Experience Design in German train stations, I first explored the broader field of UX and UI design within physical environments. Understanding how design influences real-world experiences was essential, as it allowed me to build a foundation before narrowing my focus to the train-station contexts. This early phase of research helped me recognize that user experience in physical spaces is shaped by a complex interaction of visual, spatial, and functional elements. It also highlighted how design decisions can significantly affect how people navigate, interpret, and emotionally respond to a given environment.
Several core factors repeatedly emerged in the literature as central to effective physical-space design. Among the most relevant for my project are signage, visual communication, user flow, user feedback, technology integration, and accessibility (Kaarwan, 2025). Signage and visual design support wayfinding and orientation, while user flow relates to how intuitively people can move through a space. User feedback and the integration of technologies present opportunities to enhance clarity and convenience. Accessibility, of course, remains a fundamental requirement, ensuring that environments can be used by people with diverse physical, cognitive, or sensory needs. Additional aspects that influence user experience in public transport hubs include spatial organization and safety considerations (Coughenour, 2025). These dimensions will be examined in greater depth later in the design process, once the project goals and scope are more clearly defined.
To support my analysis, I also evaluated established design principles that could guide my approach. I chose Jakob Nielsen’s Ten Usability Heuristics because they are widely recognized in UX practice and can be applied not only to digital interfaces but also to physical systems. This makes them an appropriate framework for evaluating a hybrid environment like a train station, where digital and physical elements intersect. Nielsen’s heuristics include: visibility of system status, match between the system and the real world, user control and freedom, consistency and standards, error prevention, recognition rather than recall, flexibility and efficiency of use, aesthetic and minimalist design, support in recognizing and recovering from errors, and accessible help or documentation (Heurio, 2023). By adapting these heuristics to the context of a train-station environment—where users must make quick decisions, interpret information under time pressure, and often navigate unfamiliar surroundings, I will be able to develop a structured method for identifying issues and generating improvement strategies. This framework will guide my evaluation as I begin defining how each heuristic can be meaningfully applied during the design process.
Information Gathered
The insights gained so far form a foundation for the planned research. These two approaches complement one another: while physical-environment principles help identify broad design challenges, the heuristics offer a concrete evaluative tool for analyzing more specific aspects of the user journey. Together, they provide an entry point into the complex field of physical user experience design and will be instrumental in shaping the direction of the project.
Next Steps
My next steps will involve deepening my understanding of both frameworks. I plan to continue expanding my research on physical-environment UX principles and to further explore how Nielsen’s heuristics can be adapted for real-world contexts. Once I have established a solid methodological base, I will focus more directly on German train stations and platforms. This will include investigating user behavior, spatial organization, signage systems, and potential pain points specific to railway environments. Based on this research, I aim to define the primary areas of interest for the project and identify opportunities for targeted design interventions.
Reference
Coughenour, A. (2025). User Experience in Physical Spaces. Von Orbis Cascade Alliance: https://www.orbiscascade.org/programs/dux/documentation/user-experience-in-physical-spaces/ abgerufen
heurio. (2023). Nielsen’s 10 Usability Heuristics. Von heurio: https://www.heurio.co/nielsens-10-usability-heuristics abgerufen
Kaarwan, T. (18. June 2025). How Does UI-UX Design Transform User Experience in Physical Spaces. Von Kaarwan: https://www.kaarwan.com/blog/ui-ux-design/ui-ux-design-transform-user-experience-in-physical-spaces?id=541 abgerufen
NSW Government. (2025). Sydney Trains environment and sustainability. Von Transport for NSW: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/environment-and-safety/sydney-trains-environment-and-sustainability/why-rail-travel-a abgerufen
