User Experience
iPad Application Design → permalink
The iPad is not just “a big iPhone.”
Technologically speaking, it is very similar. The way you interact with it, however, is different. The applications don’t feel like mobile apps. They are robust, full featured and intuitive.
Make Your User Interface Intuitive By Encouraging Experimentation
The design industry is plagued with the misconception that product manuals are evil. These designers believe that your product should be intuitive enough to use without a manual.
While there is a certain truth to this, there are many viable reasons for product manuals to be used. There needs to be a certain level of competency that can be achieved without the manual.
A manual is never an excuse for poor design.
Your product should be designed to encourage people to experiment. That’s how people learn how your product works, and it is also how they discover advanced functionality.
How to analyze a usability study
Most of the value you gain from a usability testing session comes from the analysis after the session is complete. I have been involved in a few sessions recently where no formal analysis has been conducted. I believe this is a mistake.
Traditionally, the analysis portion of a usability session takes quite a long time. The end results is usually what I call a “Dead Document.”
“Dead Documents” are reports that have value, but negatively impact productivity. This is usually because it takes too long to create the document, or there isn’t enough time to consume it.
I have developed a quick and dirty system for analyzing the data. It requires only a few hours to create and only a few minutes to consume.
Timeless Interfaces, and how to Replace Them
Since the invention of the modern calculator, one particular product has dominated the business market. The HP 12C financial calculator. Many manufacturers, notably Texas Instruments, have tried to innovate on this model and modernize it without tremendous success.
The HP 12C has gone through several design iterations without adding additional features. It’s functionality was scoped well in the beginning, and it’s designers held firm against the inclusion of new features. The interface is timeless.
Why is Apple discouraging interface consistency?
If you haven’t heard by now, there is quite a battle going on between Google and Apple. Apple has refused to include the Google Voice application in the App Store, along with similar apps by other parties. The FCC is now investigating.
Apple claims that Google’s application would negatively impact the users experience with the iPhone’s native telephony and sms applications.
This is interesting. Google’s application is visually & behaviorally consistent with the native applications. It makes sense that Google’s application would be easier to use because of this consistency. Google’s application has some pretty basic functionality…
- To make phone calls by dialing numbers or choosing a contact from the address book
- To send/receive SMS messages
- To check voicemail
These features overlap entirely with Apple’s native interfaces. In my opinion, Google’s application would be most usable by making it feel consistent. To make it feel seamless. Continue →
37signals new announcement panel is too intrusive
I’m a bit perplexed with the way 37signals has implemented their new announcement feature inside of Basecamp. As developers it is important that we communicate changes to our applications with our users. It shows that we are attentive and dedicated to fixing problems.
While it is important that the people using our software read these announcements, we should realize that it’s not the most important part of their experience. The new announcement system in Basecamp is intrusive. It’s popped-up in your face as the first thing you see. You are forced to address it before you can continue.
The difference between User Research and Usability Testing?
User research studies and usability testing are two fundamental phases of an interaction design process. When I’m out at conferences or meetup groups talking about my process, I often hear people confusing the two terms. So, what are these phases?
Simply put, the biggest difference is when they are used in the process.
Continue →
Simple user interfaces are not always easier to use
Earlier this week I spoke at the Cleveland Web Standards Association on the importance of thinking before building. The talk included a walkthrough of my UX design procedure, and why I feel it is a superior way of designing for interaction.
I’m frequently asked how to make interfaces simpler, as if we all already have pristine, usable interfaces buried inside of our current cluttered interfaces. Removing elements from your interface makes them simpler and easier to understand… right? Wrong.
Why You Should Outsource Usability Testing
Small companies should consider outsourcing their usability testing instead of doing it in-house. On the surface, it makes perfect sense to have a designer/developer who has a deep understanding of the project be in charge of usability testing, but in fact this can cause serious problems.
A developer will always look at the product you are testing from the inside out. They have internalized the entire product and know it inside and out. This has negative connotations on the evaluation of a test.
It may be appealing to delegate usability testing to a graphic designer on the project, but this also has issues. Artists minds are naturally focuses on aesthetics and many usability problems arise from confusing visual elements.
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Latest Comments
- Nate Klaiber → “ The design industry is plagued with the misconception that product manuals are evil. These designers believe that your product should be intuitive enough to use without a manual. While there is a certain truth to this, there are many viable reasons for product manuals to be used. There needs to be a certain…”
- Joe Fiorini → “ The design industry is plagued with the misconception that product manuals are evil. These designers believe that your product should be intuitive enough to use without a manual. While there is a certain truth to this, there are many viable reasons for product manuals to be used. There needs to be a certain…”
- Roger F Carver → “ The Google Charts API is an excellent way to add high quality charting to your web application. We first started working with the API as part of the Simpli5 dashboard development, and were quite impressed with its functionality and ease of use. Wrapper classes were developed and added to our Sandstone Application Framework to make…”
- Nate Klaiber → “ The “I agree” checkbox has become an interface standard on registration forms. “I agree to the terms and conditions.” While it’s purpose is generally understood by the consumer, it is a key source of frustration for people registering for accounts. eBay's Registration, as an example Why it’s overlooked: Checkboxes are small, particularly ones which aren’t grouped…”
- Josh Walsh → “ Most of the value you gain from a usability testing session comes from the analysis after the session is complete. I have been involved in a few sessions recently where no formal analysis has been conducted. I believe this is a mistake. Traditionally, the analysis portion of a usability session takes quite a long…”