complexity...and the illusion of simplicity: part one

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Complexity & the illusion of simplicity

 Graham Beale

"It's about making our world work better.It's about "Making Life Easy" and user friendly.

Technology today is too hard to use."

http://www.worldusabilityday.org/

Today is...

Part One:What is complexity?

Complexity is everywhere, everyday

Complexity = Stuff we don't yet understand

Things that appear complex can be understandable

...and things that look simple can be complex

...and things that look simple can be complex

...and things that we understandcan become complicated

...and things that we understandcan become complicated

Cue video...

Did he enjoy using this car?Could Jeremy drive the car?Would he buy this car?Would BMW want Jeremy to like this car?...and, who is the target audience of this car?

Attitudes to complexity

User at fault?

User at fault?

User at fault?

User at fault?

User at fault?

User at fault?

User at fault?

User at fault?

User at fault?

User at fault?

User at fault?

User at fault?

User at fault?

User at fault?

We have an ID-10-T user on the phone...

Let me raise a PEBKAC ticket for

you

Car at fault?

Car at fault?

Car at fault?

Car at fault?

Car at fault?

Car at fault?

Car at fault?

Car at fault?

Car at fault?

Car at fault?

Car at fault?

Brand at fault?

Brand at fault?

Brand at fault?

Brand at fault?

User learning curve

Flow (Mihály Csíkszentmihályi)

So...why can't everything be simple?

...because we LOVE features

Continous playAuto reverse

Dolby B

Recording level

Twin deckDubbing

Playback

Reset

Peak level meter

Auto tape selector

IC Logic Transport Control

...because we want to be at the cutting edge

...because we want to use credible products

People want... to make credible choices...and buy products with lots of features......so that they feel in control

...but its not just users who drive complexity 

New features

New features

Working practices

Business growth

Purchase complexity

Physical constraints

Technical limitations

Part One, Overview

1.All user interfaces have some degree of complexity2.All users start as beginners3....but they never rarely remain a beginner4.Users want lots of features 5....but "don't make me think, when I want to use

one!"6.Every user interface project has complexity

challenges 

Further reading 

Contact me

My blog/rambles/notepad            http://www.holdandmodify.com

Twitter         @grahambeale

Email       graham@holdandmodify.com

Slides      http://www.slideshare.net/grahambeale

Your Questions...

"When something exceeds your ability to understand how it works...it sort of becomes magical" 

Jonathan Ive

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