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What Is The User Interface Design

Lecture # 2

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What is the User Interface (UI)A user interface is the means and methods that we provide to the users to achieve their goalThe user-interface always includes:

o A concept of what the user is trying to achieve o A goal

o Process or flow - the sequence of steps by which an intent can be achieved o How will it happen

o Mechanisms that are used to control and manipulating objects in the work area o In what way

o Language, images and controls used in communicating between the user and the applicationo Using what means

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Example of User Interfaces

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What is included in the User Interface

User Interface includes more than the functionality it offers the user. It also includes

Physical characteristics – Size, resistancePerceptual/Cognitive characteristics – Color, font size, label, work flowConceptual characteristics– What is this like

When designing a user interface we need to consider all of the above aspects

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User Interface Design

UI

Scope

Concept

Activity Flow

Representation

Presentation

Needs Experience

Predictability

Convenience

Efficiency

Personal

Trust

Human

Task

Expectations

Usefulness

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Interfaces are EverywhereInterfaces are used in controlling or manipulating

Products – PIM, Cell Phones, Cars, etc. Applications – Excel, Word, etc.Our environment – Thermostat, Appliances, etc.

Interfaces are the medium through which the user communicate with the computer application

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ControlsDisplaysProcedureGuidance-labels

UI Example

Watch

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UI Example

Telephone

ControlsDisplaysProcedureGuidance-labels

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UI Example

ControlsDisplaysProcedureGuidance-labels

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UI Example

KioskControlsDisplaysProcedureGuidance-labels

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Importance of the Interface

The “quality” of the interface design directly drives the user experience

user attitude and satisfactionuser performancesafety

Poor user interface can have serious consequences

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Poor Interface – Can Ruin an Election

Florida Ballots (2000)Users could not figure out How to use –Poor mapping between stimulus & response

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Poor Interface – Can Ruin your Dinner

Poor Mapping

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Poor Interface – Can Ruin a Product

Bob Microsoft 1995

Users simply did not like this interface –User satisfaction

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Poor Interface - Can be a Safety hazard

Negative transfer of training resulting in many errors

Renault 4 circa 1970

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Poor Interface - Can Ruin a Trip

Lavatory sink – It is difficult to use Performance

Incompatibility between control design and task

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The Importance of Usable Interface

o From a user’s perspective there is no good user interface in the absolute sense only usable and useful interface An interface is bad or good only to the extent that it hinders or supports users in performing a specific task in a specific environment

Poor interface = Poor product/application

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What is a Usable Interface

Our goal is to design the user interface for products so they enable users to achieve their intentions in an easy and pleasant wayAn interface is considered usable if it:

Helps user achieve their goalEasy to learnEasy to use – e.g., recall vs. recognition, simpleFacilitates performance – speed, errorsFun to use

These aspects of the interface are also called Usability Indicators

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Usability of an Airline KioskKey usability indicators

Goal achievement – to obtain a boarding pass (but sometimes to get onto an earlier flight)Learning - no learning requiredEase of use – system leads users (hand holding)Performance – not applicable (from passenger perspective)Fun – nice to have, but not critical

Rarely can we maximize all of them