Mental Models Implications for Product Design
Designing Intuitive Products
Lessons from Mental Models
What are mental models?
How do people use them to operate devices?
How can designers communicate helpful mental models to
users?Essential Questions
Mental ModelAn understanding of how something works in terms of
its internal structure and processes
6 blind men describe an elephant, each with their own
interpretation(an old Indian fable)
How do people tend to operate thermostats?
Two distinct patterns of operationAccelerator ModelSwitch
Model
Two distinct patterns of operationAccelerator ModelSwitch
ModelThe heater is either running at a constant rate or not
running"The higher I set the temperature, the faster it will heat
up
How do I get through these doors?
Anatomy of a Door
PullherePush here
Empirical TestParticipants were instructed on how to operate an
imaginary device
Participants were instructed on how to operate an imaginary
device
Participants given a mental model first
train quicker
Participants given a mental model first
train quicker
operate quicker
Participants given a mental model first
train quicker
operate quicker
retain more
Participants given a mental model first
train quicker
operate quicker
retain more
develop more short-cuts
So how can designers ensure users develop proper mental
models?
1)2)3)Ways of Communicating Mental Models to Users
1) Tell them directly2)3)Ways of Communicating Mental Models to
Users
Provide direct instructions
1) Tell them directly2) Communicate through design3)Ways of
Communicating Mental Models to Users
These elements form a visual language
1) Tell them directly2) Tell them through design3) Ensure all
models workWays of Communicating Mental Models to Users
Make the device usable by everyone
Tell them directly
2) Tell them through design
3) Ensure all models work
Works CitedGentner, Dedre. "Psychology of mental
models."International encyclopedia of the social and behavioral
sciences(2002): 9683-9687.Kempton, Willett. "Two Theories of Home
Heat Control."Cognitive Science10.1 (1986): 75-90.Kieras, David E.,
and Susan Bovair. "The Role of a Mental Model in Learning to
Operate a Device."Cognitive science8.3 (1984): 255-273.Norman,
Donald A.The design of everyday things. Basic books, 2002.Peffer,
Therese, et al. "How people use thermostats in homes: A
review."Building and Environment46.12 (2011): 2529-2541.
