Capabilities of Humans

GestaltMore than the sum of its parts

GestaltGerman word for form/shape/likeness

Proximity

objects near each other appear as a group

once defined as a group, additional ‘group’ characteristics can be made / assumed

Look at keynote’s tool bar:

Emergence

Multistable perception

Ambiguous perception

“Stably” perceive multiple things

The 3D cube drawing

Flashing lights moving 1 direction or the other

InvarianceConsistently perceived (invariant)

Mind recognizes the object despite variations in translation or even shape

Similarity

A clue into a known mental model

Mimics similar characteristics of the mental model

User knows by relationship the characteristics

Cut, Copy, Paste

Trash or Recycling Bin

The Desktop

Online “Shopping Cart”

Metaphors

A predictive model of the behavior of something

Metaphors exploit user’s mental models

Expectations are based on these

Users will apply their mental models regardless

Know your user base

Mental Model

SymmetryPositioning (translational)

Within shapes

repeating pattern within the shape

mirror images (reflection)

[ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]

On a larger more abstract view; “balance”

The natural “flow”

Alignment

Outlines

Misalignment makes something look out of order

“odd one out” is useful to exploit

Continuity

Exploit the minds shape recognition

Graphic design uses not much on so much for GUI

Pie Menu

Enclosure being same concept and more common in GUIs (edit handles on a selected item)

Closure

Memory7±2

Users don’t want to memorize

Web surfers are even worse

“Chunking”

Memory Aids

keyboard short cuts, bookmarks, icons, symbols

File path, Bread Crumbs, Domain Names, File Names

7±2

TimeSensory memory

instant; subconscious or below that

Short-term memory

30 sec - 2 min

Long-term memory

not reliable, easily manipulated

often subconscious in nature; negatives & farce are true

Recall puts work on the user

memorization

Recognition helps the user

Figure out the mental model to apply

Jogs their memory to Recall or provides the information

Exploits their working knowledge

Recognition vs Recall

Interruptions / distractions

< 0.1 sec = “instantaneous”

< 1.0 sec = noticed, but continues

> 10 sec = interrupted, “where did my glasses go?”

Web users frequently get interrupted…

Perceived AffordanceIntuitive

A quality that makes it easy to identify the functionalities of an interface

Combines the previous topics to let users “intuitively” operate something

Light switches placed relative to the lights they control

Door handles positioned closer to the open side

“The Design of Everyday Things” (mentioned in the syllabus)

rely on recognition instead of recall

chunk info

don’t make them remember stuff

Consider your Target Demographic’s mental models

Provide memory aids and visual cues

Provide FEEDBACK to the user

Conclusion