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Principles of Effective Visual Communication in Designing GUIs
Based on Material ofAaron Marcus & Suzanne
Martin http://www.cs.wpi.edu/~matt/courses/cs563/talks/smartin/int_design.html
What is Graphic Design? Information-oriented graphic
design is the use of typography, symbols, color, and other static and dynamic graphics, in both two and three dimensions, to convey facts, concepts, and emotions.
If we but look at these figures, they have neither sense nor sequence. They are intelligible only when pronounced: "I can sail round the globe."
The use of typography, symbols, color, and other static and dynamic graphics are used to convey facts, concepts and emotions.
Successful visual communication through information-oriented, systematic graphic design relies on some key principles of graphic design.
Design Considerations There are three factors that should
be considered for the design of a successful user interface Development factors Usability factors Acceptance factors.
Development Factors Development factors help by
improving visual communication. These include: platform constraints, tool kits and component libraries, support for rapid prototyping, and customizability.
Usability Factors Usability factors take into account
human factors and express a strong visual identity. These include: human abilities, product identity, clear conceptual model, and multiple representations.
Acceptance Factors Acceptance factors are:
Installed base, Corporate politics, International markets.
User Interface Design Objectives Conceptually distinct organization Visually consistent presentation Effective use of visible language
Visible Language Visible language refers to all of the
graphical techniques used to communicate the message or context.
Visible Language Layout:
formats, proportions, and grids; 2-D and 3-D organization
Typography: selection of typefaces and typesetting, including
variable width and fixed width Color and Texture:
color, texture and light that convey complex information and pictorial reality
Imagery: signs, icons and symbols, from the
photographically real to the abstract
Visible Language Animation:
a dynamic or kinetic display; very important for video-related imagery
Sequencing: the overall approach to visual storytelling
Sound: abstract, vocal, concrete, or musical cues
Visual identity: the additional, unique rules that lend overall
consistency to a user interface. The overall decisions as to how the corporation or the product line expresses itself in visible language.
Principles of User Interface Design There are three fundamental principles
involved in the use of the visible language. Organize:
provide the user with a clear and consistent conceptual structure
Economize: do the most with the least amount of cues
Communicate: match the presentation to the capabilities of
the user.
Organize Consistency, screen layout, relationships and navigability are important
concepts of organization.
Organize > Consistency There are three views of
consistency: Internal consistency External consistency Real-world consistency
Orginize > Consistency > Internal
Internal Consistency Observe the same conventions and rules
throughout the application In general you should maximize the
similarity of the major components of a user interface.
Orginize > Consistency > External
External consistency The existing platforms and cultural
conventions should be followed across user interfaces.
Example: External Consistency for Text Tool Icons These icons come from different desktop publishingapplications but generally have the same meaning.
Orginize > Consistency > Real-World
Real-world consistency means conventions should be made consistent with real-world experiences, observations and perceptions of the user.
Organize > Screen Layout Screen Layout
Three ways to design display spatial layout: use a
grid structure, standardize the screen layout, and group related elements.
Organize > Screen Layout Relationships Linking related items and
disassociating unrelated items can help achieve visual organization.
Organize > Screen Layout > Relationships
Example: RelationshipsLeft: Shape, location, and value can all create strong visualrelationships which may be inappropriate.Right: Clear, consistent, appropriate, and strong relationships.
Organize > Navigability Navigability
There are three important navigation techniques: -
provide an initial focus for the viewer's attention –
direct attention to important, secondary, or peripheral items –
assist in navigation throughout the material.
Economize > Simplicity Simplicity includes only the
elements that are most important for communication.
It should also be as unobtrusive as possible.
Economize Distinctiveness
The important properties of the necessary elements should be distinguishable.
Emphasis The most important elements should
be easily perceived. Non-critical elements should be de-emphasized and clutter should be minimized so as not to hide critical information.