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Day 9
NavigationHeuristic evaluation
Objectives
Look at some simple rules on navigation Introduction to Heuristic Evaluation
Remember Grice and Norman
In software, button labels, links, and other interface elements are the signs that help us find our destination
Too many signs can be as confusing as no signs at all
The aim of the designer
Allow users to access any part of the software from any point with a minimum of signs or directions and in the fewest number of clicks or keystrokes as possible (efficiently)
But remember effectively and satisfaction
The essentials of navigation
When designing, remember that users need signs that identify where they are signs that tell them what is available controls that initiate actions
Beware! The first of these is often forgotten
Signs that identify where we are
Signs help orient users, confirming that they have reached the proper destination or made the intended selection (remember Norman)
Examples of signs that help screen titles colouring/highlighting of menu item we are on breadcrumbs
breadcrumbs
Signs that tell us what is available
Examples pushbutton labels the text of hyperlinks other labels, such as tooltips
Controls that initiate actions
Examples pushbuttons links list boxes drop down menus
Two primary methods of organisation
Categorisation or Search
Research by a group called “User Interface Engineering” showed: in a study of online shoppers, most preferred to
search by category some ignored the search function entirely some used the search function only as a last resort
Categorisation
Categories must be well thought-out, considering both the items and the audience
When a user selects a major category, the subcategories for that category should be displayed
Consistency will allow users to instantly select a different major category or subcategory without having to search for the appropriate menu
Search
Examples text boxes (allowing simple search) text boxes (allowing complex search) boxes allowing selection of features
Positioning of navigational elements
Position the menus consistently on each page of the site
Left or right side menus?
The left side is almost a defacto standard now
Thus some people may “tune out” the right side as an ad
But a recent study suggested that locating menus vertically
along the right side was more usable than on the left it depends on the language
Using tabs
Use tabs to organise related items at the same peer level
Apply the tab metaphor thoroughly and consistently
Confine tabs to one row only
Compare this …
with this …
but …
More creative navigation
Navigation systems can creatively match the style of the site or software
For some sites, fun is added by the sense of discovery you get when you click on any item within the system
Design firms take the risks with navigation design that some “standard” sites cannot
Don’t let your creative tendencies overcome your common sense. As always, let users try your design at an early stage, and observe their reactions
Don’t use mystery navigation
A few simple rules
Make it easy for users to figure out where they are
Make it clear what the options are and how to select them
Deliver the content you promise when the user makes a selection
Always provide an easy means for users to change their mind
Try to anticipate and follow your audience’s mental model
Test the navigation on real users
A reading
Read the Levi and Conrad paper: A Heuristic Evaluation of a World Wide Web Prototype
(see the link on the day 9 webpage)