interface design multimedia and web. today’s objectives review: defining interface design html...
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Today’s Objectives
Review: Defining Interface Design HTML Introduce User Research User-Center Design Design Activity Project portfolio page
Defining ID: What is an interface?
An interface is a representation of a problem/task
A well-designed interface can transform a complex task, making it much simpler
Defining ID: What is an interface? Communication Channel – something that
mediates between the user and the computer.
Interface mediates the conversation a person has with a digital product.
Defining ID
What is a good interface?A good ID encourages an easy,
natural, and engaging interaction between users and system.
BUT…
Defining ID
Easy, natural, good, bad, and engaging are subjective.
We need to be concerned with whether a user interface is good, bad, or poor, etc. in relation to usability.
Defining ID
What’s usability?… extent to which a product can be
used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness.
(BSI, 1998; Stone, Jarrett, Woodroffe, & Minocha, 2005)
Defining ID: What is an interface? Interface design doesn’t start with pictures.
It starts with understanding of people.
(Tidwell, J. 2011, p.2)
Defining ID: What is an interface? Step 1 of ID: Figure out what users
are really trying to accomplish.
Art of interface design lies in solving the right problem.
• Solving the right problem. • Communication channel • Mediates between user and computer.• Representation of problem/task
When we think of ID in these terms
Defining ID: What is an interface?
…versus product, we must think of & begin with users.
Product
The 8 golden rules of interface design1. Strive for consistency2. Cater to universal usability3. Offer informative feedback4. Design dialogs to yield closure5. Prevent errors6. Permit easy reversal of actions7. Support internal locus of control (Sort)8. Reduce short term memory load
HTML
Allows you to structure documents and assign meaning to content.
Used for describing meaning of content.
<p>In the summer of 2009, I developed Mapping Temporal Relations of
Discussions Software (MTRDS) as a tool to analyze the temporal aspects
of online course discussions. <q>“This Web-based prototype imports
discussion files from a course management system and diagrams the
temporal aspects of conversations.”</q> From the diagrams, one can
observe the general time and date of discussion activity and individual
patterns of interactivity.</p>
<p>I am seeking funds to assist me in further developing an intelligent
online tool that provides <strong>semantic</strong> as well as
temporal analyses of online educational conversations. </p>
<h1> Introduction</h1>
<h2> Educational Conversations</h2>
HTML 5
Emphasizes semantics. Removes some presentational elements. Introduces new elements such as header,
footer, article, sections, nav.
Use elements that best describe your content. Styling is done with CSS
HTML 5 | Why it’s important.
Improved accessibility Improved interoperability – content being
available on assistive technologies and on mobile and tablet devices
Improves SEO Efficient coding & improved maintenance.
HTML 5 Doc Type
<!doctype html>
Ensure browsers render properly and let’s HTML validators know you are using HTML 5 syntax.
HTML: Document structure
HTML
HEAD – information about the Web page.
BODY – the actual contents of the Web page
HTML 5: Document structure<!doctype html>
<html>
<head><title> Hello World, it's our first page!</title></head>
<body><section><article> <nav></nav> <p>Hello, world!</p></article></section></body>
</html>
Header | Hgroup | Example
<header>
<hgroup>
<h1>Interface design</h1>
<h2>Interface patterns</h2>
</hrgoup>
</header>
<nav> < </nav>
<section>
<header><h2>By the Sea></h2>
</section>
<section>
<article><header><h2>This is the title…</h2>
</article></section>
<aside><section><header><h3>Categories</h3></section>
<section><header><h3>Archives</h3></section></aside>
<nav> </nav>
<section>
<header><h2>By the Sea></h2></header>
</section>
<section><article><header><h2>This is the title…</h2></header>
</article></section>
<aside><section><header><h3>Categories</h3></header></section>
<section><header><h3>Archives</h3></header></section></aside>
Progressive enhancements
Provide universal access – start with clear content and well-structured semantic HTML markup.
Strict separation of layout and presentation. Layer advanced behavior and styling but
always ensure accessible/universal access.
(Arker, T., Toland, P. Jehl, S., & Wachs, M. 2010, p. 8)
User Research
It’s challenging to understand the real issues that trigger users’ interactions with a website.
User Research
Empirical discovery - the only really good way to obtain information about users.
Characterize kinds of people who will be using your design.
Go out and meet them.
User Research
Each user is unique - one person finds something difficult, the next one won’t.
Figure out what’s generally true about your users.
What are common behavior patterns.
User Research - Find out:
Users’ goals in using the site Tasks they undertake to achieve goals Language and words they use Skill using software similar to what you’re
designing Attitudes toward the kind of thing you’re
designing
User Research
Describe audience in terms of how and why they might use your site.
Without valid description of user, design will likely not proceed well.
User Research - methods
Direct observation Case studies Surveys Personas - This is a design technique that
“models” the target audiences.
Thinking about your interface.
Think of your interface design as a conversation. You modify your conversation based on the person with whom you are speaking: specific vocabulary you use level of knowledgebody language, etc.
Video
Thinking about your interface.
How much openness is there in the interface?
Too little, and your users feel trapped
Too much, and they stand there paralyzed, not knowing what to do next
How much effort are your users willing to spend to learn your interface?
A lotPhotoshopDreamweaver
A littleWebsite
What is User-Centered Design?
Places the person (as opposed to the 'thing') at the center.
Focuses on cognitive factors (such as perception, memory, learning, problem-solving, etc.) as they impact interactions.
Looks at user actions/activity.
http://www.stcsig.org/usability/topics/articles/ucd%20_web_devel.html
RequirementDefinition
System &Software Design
ImplementationUnit Testing
Integration &System Testing
Operation & Maintenance
Waterfall Life Cycle Model
RequirementDefinition
System &Software Design
ImplementationUnit Testing
Integration &System Testing
Operation & Maintenance
Waterfall Life Cycle Model
User involvement
• Sequential phases• Each phase complete before the next
Iterative design process
User Testing
Design
Prototyping
• Involve users throughout the process• Process is highly iterative
Source: Lynch & Horton, http://webstyleguide.com/wsg3/1-process/7-development-process.html
The Site Development Process Model
Lynch & Horton
Source: Lynch & Horton, http://webstyleguide.com/wsg3/1-process/7-development-process.html
The Site Development Process
Lynch & Horton
• Broad input & participation in beginning.
• Narrow focused team at the end.
• Necessary, to finish your site on time and on budget.
What is involved in the process
1. Identifying needs, establishing requirements for the user experience (understand the problem and your users)
2.Developing alternative designs to meet needs
3.Building interactive prototypes that can be communicated and assessed
4.Evaluating what is being built throughout the process and the user experience it offers
User-Centered Design
Major activities:1. Understand/specify the context of use
2. Specify user and organization requirements
3. Create prototypes
4. Evaluate designs with users against requirements.
(British Standards Institution 1998; Stone, Jarrett, Woodroffe, & Minocha, 2005)
User-Centered Design Major Steps
1. Requirements-definition - client gives developers information about functionality and requirements.
2. Establish design for the project.
3. Develop prototypes that reflect the emerging design, using the programming language or development environment.
User-Centered Design
Major Steps
4.Submit prototypes to client for feedback and modifications.
5.Revise prototypes to reflect the client’s changes.
6.Repeat steps 3 and 5 for additional part of the system.
User-Centered DesignSeeks to answer questions about users and their tasks
and goals such as: Who are the users of this 'thing'?
What are the users’ tasks and goals?
What are the users’ experience levels with this thing, and things like it?
How can the design of this ‘thing’ facilitate users' cognitive processes?
Do you think Lauren’s picture is on the site, how good is this school, she’s in the theater department, etc.
User-Centered DesignSeeks to answer questions
What hardware, software, and browsers do the users have? What relevant knowledge and skills do the users already
possess? What functions do the users need from this interface? How do they currently perform these tasks? Why do the users currently perform these tasks the way they do? What information might the users need and in what form? What do users expect from this Web site? How do users expect this interface will work?
Site Development Process(Lynch & Horton)
Site definition and planning Information architecture Site design Site construction Site marketing Tracking, evaluation, and maintenance
Source: Lynch & Horton, http://webstyleguide.com/wsg3/1-process/index.html
Source: Lynch & Horton, http://webstyleguide.com/wsg3/1-process/7-development-process.html
The Site Development Process
Lynch & Horton
The first step to design web site is to define your goals.
Careful planning and a clear purpose are the keys to success in building web sites, particularly when working with a development team.
Source: Lynch & Horton, http://webstyleguide.com/wsg3/1-process/index.html
Site Development Process(Lynch & Horton)
Step 1:
Gather development team, analyze needs/goals, and work through development process to refine plans.
Source: Lynch & Horton, http://webstyleguide.com/wsg3/1-process/index.html
Site Development Process(Lynch & Horton)
Step 2: Create charter/specifications document:
what you intend to do and why, for whom,what technology and content, how long will process take, how much you will spend, and how will you assess the results of your efforts.
Source: Lynch & Horton, http://webstyleguide.com/wsg3/1-process/index.html
Site Development Process(Lynch & Horton)
Charter document is crucial to creating a successful site:
Charter document is blueprint and will help keep project focused on the agreed-on goals and deliverables.
Site Development Process(Lynch & Horton)
Plan site
1. Know the problem and users – critical!!!
2. Make sketches
3. Define site structure –
4. Decide page flowFixed width/fluid heightEtc.
Source: Robbins, J.N. (2007), Learning Web Design. O’Reilly.
Information Architecture
Plan site
3. Make wireframesHelp in planning structure of pagesServe as blueprints for developmentShould include placement and measurement
of elements in pixelsWireframe Example
Plan site
Visual compositions (comps) Convey the visual design It is often useful to make alternative designs Photoshop/Illustrator, etc.
Build
Cutting ChromeUse background imagesTransparent png (Example)CSS spritesPhotoshop/Illustrator, etc.
Build
Prototype | show interactivityDefine markup structureCreate CSS | program
Organize CSS Programming