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 [email protected]
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