Agenda
CMC support

Introduction to Communication Science and Technology
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– simple rules of UID

UI examples User-Centered UID principles

‐User‐Centered Design‐

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CMC Support: Rules
1. Strive for consistency
— consistent sequence of actions — identical terminology — limited use of exceptions

CMC Support: Rules (cont-d)
4. Design dialogs to yield closure
— group of actions: “begin-middle-end” — end means “drop from the user’s mind”

2. Enable frequent users to use shortcuts
ICST: Week 07, Spring 2012

5. Offer error prevention and handling
— prevent serious errors — serious errors should not change the system state, or — the system should give instructions how to restore the state

3. Offer informative feedback
— modest for frequent actions — more substantial for major actions — visual
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ICST: Week 07, Spring 2012

— abbreviations, special keys, hidden commands, macros

6. Permit easy reversal of actions
— encourages exploration — gives feeling of safety
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CMC Support: Rules (cont-d)
7. Adapt type of control
— users usually want to be “in charge” — make the user the initiator rather than the responder

Examples: Inconsistent UI

8. Reduce short-term memory load
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— simple displays — reduce window-motion frequency — prompt access to command syntax, forms, abbreviations, codes — provide necessary information — recognition rather than recall

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Examples: Confusing UI

Bad UI Examples: Error or What?

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Visual Organization in UID
Gestalt Psychology (states “What” but does not explain “Why”): to organize what we see into a meaningful whole:
— — — — — Proximity Similarity (consistency, contrast) Symmetry (“common fate”)