Day 9

NavigationHeuristic evaluation

Objectives

Look at some simple rules on navigation Introduction to Heuristic Evaluation

Remember Grice and Norman

In software, button labels, links, and other interface elements are the signs that help us find our destination

Too many signs can be as confusing as no signs at all

The aim of the designer

Allow users to access any part of the software from any point with a minimum of signs or directions and in the fewest number of clicks or keystrokes as possible (efficiently)

But remember effectively and satisfaction

The essentials of navigation

When designing, remember that users need signs that identify where they are signs that tell them what is available controls that initiate actions

Beware! The first of these is often forgotten

Signs that identify where we are

Signs help orient users, confirming that they have reached the proper destination or made the intended selection (remember Norman)

Examples of signs that help screen titles colouring/highlighting of menu item we are on breadcrumbs

breadcrumbs

Signs that tell us what is available

Examples pushbutton labels the text of hyperlinks other labels, such as tooltips

Controls that initiate actions

Examples pushbuttons links list boxes drop down menus

Two primary methods of organisation

Categorisation or Search

Research by a group called “User Interface Engineering” showed: in a study of online shoppers, most preferred to

search by category some ignored the search function entirely some used the search function only as a last resort

Categorisation

Categories must be well thought-out, considering both the items and the audience

When a user selects a major category, the subcategories for that category should be displayed

Consistency will allow users to instantly select a different major category or subcategory without having to search for the appropriate menu

Search

Examples text boxes (allowing simple search) text boxes (allowing complex search) boxes allowing selection of features

Positioning of navigational elements

Position the menus consistently on each page of the site

Left or right side menus?

The left side is almost a defacto standard now

Thus some people may “tune out” the right side as an ad

But a recent study suggested that locating menus vertically

along the right side was more usable than on the left it depends on the language

Using tabs

Use tabs to organise related items at the same peer level

Apply the tab metaphor thoroughly and consistently

Confine tabs to one row only

Compare this …

with this …

but …

More creative navigation

Navigation systems can creatively match the style of the site or software

For some sites, fun is added by the sense of discovery you get when you click on any item within the system

Design firms take the risks with navigation design that some “standard” sites cannot

Don’t let your creative tendencies overcome your common sense. As always, let users try your design at an early stage, and observe their reactions

Don’t use mystery navigation

A few simple rules

Make it easy for users to figure out where they are

Make it clear what the options are and how to select them

Deliver the content you promise when the user makes a selection

Always provide an easy means for users to change their mind

Try to anticipate and follow your audience’s mental model

Test the navigation on real users

A reading

Read the Levi and Conrad paper: A Heuristic Evaluation of a World Wide Web Prototype

(see the link on the day 9 webpage)