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Capabilities of Humans
GestaltMore than the sum of its parts
GestaltGerman word for form/shape/likeness
Proximity
objects near each other appear as a group
once defined as a group, additional ‘group’ characteristics can be made / assumed
Look at keynote’s tool bar:
Emergence
Multistable perception
Ambiguous perception
“Stably” perceive multiple things
The 3D cube drawing
Flashing lights moving 1 direction or the other
InvarianceConsistently perceived (invariant)
Mind recognizes the object despite variations in translation or even shape
Similarity
A clue into a known mental model
Mimics similar characteristics of the mental model
User knows by relationship the characteristics
Cut, Copy, Paste
Trash or Recycling Bin
The Desktop
Online “Shopping Cart”
Metaphors
A predictive model of the behavior of something
Metaphors exploit user’s mental models
Expectations are based on these
Users will apply their mental models regardless
Know your user base
Mental Model
SymmetryPositioning (translational)
Within shapes
repeating pattern within the shape
mirror images (reflection)
[ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]
On a larger more abstract view; “balance”
The natural “flow”
Alignment
Outlines
Misalignment makes something look out of order
“odd one out” is useful to exploit
Continuity
Exploit the minds shape recognition
Graphic design uses not much on so much for GUI
Pie Menu
Enclosure being same concept and more common in GUIs (edit handles on a selected item)
Closure
Memory7±2
Users don’t want to memorize
Web surfers are even worse
“Chunking”
Memory Aids
keyboard short cuts, bookmarks, icons, symbols
File path, Bread Crumbs, Domain Names, File Names
7±2
TimeSensory memory
instant; subconscious or below that
Short-term memory
30 sec - 2 min
Long-term memory
not reliable, easily manipulated
often subconscious in nature; negatives & farce are true
Recall puts work on the user
memorization
Recognition helps the user
Figure out the mental model to apply
Jogs their memory to Recall or provides the information
Exploits their working knowledge
Recognition vs Recall
Interruptions / distractions
< 0.1 sec = “instantaneous”
< 1.0 sec = noticed, but continues
> 10 sec = interrupted, “where did my glasses go?”
Web users frequently get interrupted…
Perceived AffordanceIntuitive
A quality that makes it easy to identify the functionalities of an interface
Combines the previous topics to let users “intuitively” operate something
Light switches placed relative to the lights they control
Door handles positioned closer to the open side
“The Design of Everyday Things” (mentioned in the syllabus)
rely on recognition instead of recall
chunk info
don’t make them remember stuff
Consider your Target Demographic’s mental models
Provide memory aids and visual cues
Provide FEEDBACK to the user
Conclusion