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Gabriel Spitz 1
What Is The User Interface Design
Lecture # 2
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What is the User Interface (UI)
A user interface is the means and methods that we provide to the users to achieve their goal
The user-interface always includes:o A concept of what the user is trying to achieve
o A goalo Process or flow - the sequence of steps by which
an intent can be achieved o How will it happen
o Mechanisms that are used to control and manipulating objects in the work area o In what way
o Language, images and controls used in communicating between the user and the applicationo Using what means
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Example of User Interfaces
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What is included in the User Interface
User Interface includes more than the functionality it offers the user. It also includes
Physical characteristics – Size, resistance
Perceptual/Cognitive characteristics – Color, font size, label, work flow
Conceptual characteristics– What is this like
When designing a user interface we need to consider all of the above aspects
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User Interface Design
UI
Scope
Concept
Activity Flow
Representation
Presentation
Needs Experience
Predictability
Convenience
Efficiency
Personal
Trust
Human
Task
Expectations
Usefulness
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Interfaces are Everywhere
Interfaces are used in controlling or manipulating
Products – PIM, Cell Phones, Cars, etc.
Applications – Excel, Word, etc.
Our environment – Thermostat, Appliances, etc.
Interfaces are the medium through which the user communicate with the computer application
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Controls
Displays
Procedure
Guidance-labels
UI Example
Watch
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UI Example
Telephone
Controls
Displays
Procedure
Guidance-labels
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UI Example
Controls
Displays
Procedure
Guidance-labels
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UI Example
Kiosk
Controls
Displays
Procedure
Guidance-labels
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Importance of the Interface
The “quality” of the interface design directly drives the user experience
user attitude and satisfaction
user performance
safety
Poor user interface can have serious consequences
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Poor Interface – Can Ruin an Election
Florida Ballots (2000)
Users could not figure out How to use –Poor mapping between stimulus & response
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Poor Interface – Can Ruin your Dinner
Poor Mapping
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Poor Interface – Can Ruin a Product
Bob
Microsoft 1995
Users simply did not like this interface –
User satisfaction
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Poor Interface - Can be a Safety hazard
Negative transfer of training resulting in many errors
Renault 4 circa 1970
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Poor Interface - Can Ruin a Trip
Lavatory sink – It is difficult to use Performance
Incompatibility between control design and task
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The Importance of Usable Interface
o From a user’s perspective there is no good user interface in the absolute sense only usable and useful interface
An interface is bad or good only to the extent that it hinders or supports users in performing a specific task in a specific environment
Poor interface = Poor product/application
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What is a Usable Interface
Our goal is to design the user interface for products so they enable users to achieve their intentions in an easy and pleasant way
An interface is considered usable if it:Helps user achieve their goal
Easy to learn
Easy to use – e.g., recall vs. recognition, simple
Facilitates performance – speed, errors
Fun to use
These aspects of the interface are also called Usability Indicators
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Usability of an Airline Kiosk
Key usability indicators Goal achievement – to obtain a boarding pass (but sometimes to get onto an earlier flight)Learning - no learning requiredEase of use – system leads users (hand holding)Performance – not applicable (from passenger perspective)Fun – nice to have, but not critical
Rarely can we maximize all of them
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