What term describes a fictional character that represents a typical user’s interaction with a product?

The term that describes a fictional character representing a typical user's interaction with a product is "persona." Personas are created based on user research and are designed to encapsulate the characteristics, goals, needs, and behaviors of real users. By developing a persona, teams can better understand the user's perspective, which aids in creating more user-centered designs and solutions.

Personas help to crystallize the target audience by providing a relatable identity, allowing stakeholders and team members to engage with the user’s needs more effectively. This approach can significantly enhance the product development process by ensuring that decisions are made with a clear understanding of who the users are and what they require from the product.

In contrast, a user profile typically includes factual details about actual users rather than a fictional representation, an avatar can often refer to a digital character representing a user in virtual environments, and a character sketch may not necessarily focus on user interaction with a product but rather on character traits and stories.