No, the user is not always correct. The user is always someone you should listen to and a starting point, but just because it comes out of a user’s mouth doesn’t meant that it is the correct thing. New features that users would like could be great, but at the same time they could be worthless. As a designer you need to remember that –you- are the designer and not completely lose focus of your vision while talking to users. The user is always correct however in telling you how they use the product and what they feel about it. That’s not up to the designer to determine.
I worked on redesigning the elliptical machines at the SRSC in project two. I would eliminate the extra specialty program buttons from the panel. They really aren’t necessary and most people don’t seem to use them because you can set the machine to do a more custom workout without them. In the case where “less is more” they are definitely not worth keeping.
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Good to point out that designers need to listen to users as well as to have their own design principles in terms of simplicity considering general user groups. In that sense, you might also want to consider providing some advanced or personalized features as optional menus (which are usually hidden but adjustable for those who need them).
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