Principle Of Interface Design by Xavier Peter

Table of content

1.0 Introduction…………………………………………………………………2   

2.0 Interface Design Principles

            2.1 Anticipation…………………………………………………………3

            2.2 Autonomy…………………………………………………………...3

            2.3 Daltonism…………………………………………………………...4

            2.4 Consistency…………………………………………………………5

            2.5 Protect user’s work…………………………………………………5

            2.6 Readability………………………………………………………….6

            2.7 Visible Navigation………………………………………………….6

3.0 Conclusion………………………………………………………………….7

4.0 References…………………………………………………………………..7

           

1.0 Introduction

In this era of science and technology, computer is the most fundamental tool that is used in every type of jobs. Computers are used from schools to a busy airport. This is because computer helps people to organize, multitask and improve efficiency of work progress. All these works could only be accomplished with the proper application. But before a user uses an application, the most important thing is that it should have an appropriate interface for different classes of people. A more user-friendly user interface, the easier for a user to use it, and the ease of utilizing the user interface would help in reducing cost. This is because if a user finds the interface design easy to train with, it will help cutting down on your training expenses. And if the user interface is good, the more the people will use and frequently using it. An excellent interface would pardon the user errors and this would let the user to feel that they are in control. By this way, the user would understand the usability of the interface design and would keep changing their approach on completing their work. An effective interface design would do more work with a minimal error pop-ups. The following will be discussing about the interface design principles created by a human computer interaction expert named Bruce Tognazzini.

                                    

2.0 Interface Design Principles

2.1 Anticipation

- An application should be a little smart by knowing what the user wants in the next step. It should not let the user to search for the needs and tools that is used to proceed in the application. All this the application should already be informed and asked before the step.

2.2 Autonomy

- While the resources and the application is “owned” by the user, the rules set in the applications must be followed also. The rules that are set in the application should not be too tight or too lenient as well because if the rules set are too tight, user would feel that the application is troublesome. In addition, a user would also feel uncomfortable if there are no interruption or some kind of “rule abiding” pop-ups. So, neither in a caged-up nor infinite environment would make the user feel more inconvenient, rather than a discoverable and less risk environment.

- Make user to be notified of the state of the system by using some kind of machine. By not having enough information and monitoring, control and autonomy cannot be performed. By giving notification, user can act accordingly in solving the matter. For example, if a worker has to finish a job and has no information about it, he or she will try everything necessary to find ways to accomplish the job and some actions which are not necessary is also carried out. So in this case, if there is another workload, the worker will be exhausted and will lose concentration to do it.

2.3 Daltonism

- The color that is used to display the options in the interface needs to be easy to be seen, read and easy to differentiate. This is because the user of the computer can be color blind and cannot differentiate the colors which are almost similar. In a human’s eye, cones are the type of cells that are used to view different color. Everyone have different type of view towards color and color blindness. The most common ones are the Protanopia (the absence of red color function) and Deuteranopia (the absence of green color function). So the color that are utilized in the background and text should have a totally different color scheme so that it increases the clarity of the information.

2.4 Consistency

- The “Invincible structure” is the type of function that has a different shortcut in different version of the software. So, a user may not know whether their version of the software has it or not.

- The “small visible structure” is the buttons in a software that carries out different function. These icons should be place in a round the same area and same design in different versions of software so that user may not be confused during working on the software. It is vital to also make sure that the looks of an icon describes the functionality it.

2.5 Protect user’s work

- An interface should be able to save the options that were input by the use in case of an error that occur such as a power failure.

2.6 Readability

- The background where the text is placed should have a high contrast as to increase clarity for the user to read. Furthermore, using fonts that are easy to read and font sizes that are big enough to see in a standard monitor. Font sizes and designs should also be able to tell the difference between the title and the body of the text.

2.7 Visible Navigation

- Avoid misleading and confusing maps because a user may get lost if they are tired and will not be able to finish their work on time and that will affect the productivity of a person’s work. Buttons that work as for what they show for example an arrow that is pointing to the right should indicate Next and arrow that points to the left indicate Back.

3.0 Conclusion

From this discussion of topic, the author has learned about the principles when designing a user interface. There are many type of principle that are available created by many different designers. The author finds that the most vital principle that has to be added to the next assignment is the readability, consistency and visible navigation. This is because that these principles are the core principles needed when designing an interface besides attractive layout designs.

The author chose readability is because that for a user to interact with the interface, they have to understand the instructions given. Besides, as for consistency, it is an old-school principle that is somewhat forgotten these days in some web and application designs. The author thinks that especially consistency in color use and design should be emphasize to let the user know what is the designer trying to present. Visible navigation is also something that should be taken to account when designing an interface. This is because the author wish to make the application as user-friendly as possible so as to not to confuse the user with the navigation icon. The icons and buttons used have to be giving the output as to what the user think it should give.

4.0 References

1. Primeiros princ�pios do Interaction Design . 2014. Primeiros princ�pios do Interaction Design . [ONLINE] Available at: http://userdesign.org/principios.html. [Accessed 25 February 2014].

2. User Interface Design Tips, Techniques, and Principles. 2014. User Interface Design Tips, Techniques, and Principles. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.ambysoft.com/essays/userInterfaceDesign.html. [Accessed 25 February 2014].