the
elements of user interface design
 |
Mandel,
Theo, The Elements of User Interface Design, Wiley,
1997 |
Mandel trained as a cognitive psychologist. The book
largely focuses on software application design and testing, but it was being
recognised that the web was starting to have an impact, Chapter 16 focuses
on the web, and a lot of the other design principles apply to web design.
Interaction is defined for people by their past experience and expectations,
and if something doesn't work as expected, people tend to blame themselves
rather than the product, so designers must ensure that their product works
in a consistent manner. Mandel complains that magazines give the impression
that it is easy to build web pages, which physically it is, but believes
there is an art and a science to perfect a web site (not pages).
GUI interfaces for computers have added a time-delay
factor, designers tends to play with the visual layout rather than focusing
on the information, and what the product is trying to achieve. Define
goals and information first, add design later. Designers must take into
account the impact of memory, sensory systems of users should not be overloaded
with, for instance, unnecessary animations. Designers must be user-focused,
users used to have to adapt to systems, now there is a more common need
for the system to adapt to the user; users can be given clues through
the use of, for instance, visual metaphors. Now that the Internet has
become more common, designs no longer need to be simply user-friendly,
but should also be 'user-seductive'. Goals must be realistic, achievable
and testable.
Users want consistency across the web, but compromises
are often needed, and designers should understand rules, but not follow
them blindly, but know what they are breaking. Designs must be continually
tested and reviewed to see if they work successfully, based in a sound
structure, and the first site design is unlikely to be the last. Often
web sites are based on TV models, but these don't transfer successfully
as the TV is a passive medium, whereas the web is an interactive medium,
with a wide audience base with different skills sets, and differing paths
should be offered for the new user, and the frequent user. There are new
issues, such as legal and copyright, for web designers to deal with. (January
2002)
|
