what is the user interface design lecture # 1 gabriel spitz 1
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Gabriel Spitz
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What Is The User Interface DesignLecture # 1
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What is the User Interface (UI)
A user interface is the meeting point between a user and a computer program
It is the means and methods by which a user utilizes a specific application to achieve a goal for which the application was designed for and the user wants to achieve
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Good User Interface
Good User Interface is an interface that is designed in such a way that when using it the user will walk away with a positive User Experience
The process for designing an interface that will result in a good experience is called Usability
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What is Usability
It is a Process
It is a set of techniques that we use to achieve the Result
It is a design philosophy to meet user's needs
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Designing Usable Products
To design a usable product we need to: Identify who will use the product Describe how and why the product will be used Design with the Active user in mind; Activity-centered Design to meet the 5 Es of good product
Easy to learn Efficient Effective Engaging Error tollerant
Solicit user-feedback
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Components of A User Interface
Thus a user-interface always includes:o Goal - An understanding of what the user is trying to
achieve 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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Making it Usable
And an Understanding of Human Behavior
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Deconstructing the UI
Goal – Reduce splashing around the urinal
Process – The user will approach the urinal, detect the image and aim at it
Mechanism – Passively guide user attention and behavior
Means – Visual Icon of a fly
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Why a User Interface
Enable Enable the user to perform specific tasks Enable the user to acquire specific information
Communicate Communicate to the user what has to be done Communicate to users how it should be done
Promote Promote a positive experience Promote satisfaction
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What is Included in the UI
User Interface includes more than the functionality it offers the user. It also includes Physical characteristics – Size, resistance, gesture Perceptual/Cognitive characteristics – Color, font
size, label, work flow Conceptual characteristics– What is this like
When designing a user interface we need to consider all of the above aspects
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Interfaces are Everywhere
Interfaces 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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Controls
Displays
Procedure
Guidance-labels
UI Example
Watch
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UI Example
Telephone
Controls
Displays
Procedure
Guidance-labels
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UI Example
Controls
Displays
Procedure
Guidance-labels
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UI Example
Kiosk
Controls
Displays
Procedure
Guidance-labels
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Importance of the Interface
The “quality” of the interface design directly drives the user experience user attitude and feelings User satisfaction user performance safety
Poor user interface can have serious consequences
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Poor UI – 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 UI – Can Ruin your Dinner
Poor Mapping
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Poor UI – Can Ruin a Product
Bob
Microsoft 1995
Users simply did not like this interface –
User satisfaction
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Poor UI - Can be a Safety hazard
Negative transfer of training resulting in many errors
Renault 4 circa 1970
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Poor UI - 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 in designing the user interface that the product is Useful, Usable, and Delightful
An Interface is Useful if: It enable users to achieve their intentions
An interface is considered Usable if it: Easy to learn Efficient- Performance speed and errors Effective – Easy to use Error tolerant Engaging