Design
DECO1200
Outline
Introduction Interaction to Conceptual Models
What are conceptual models? Why should you care? Supporting common interactive activities.
Conceptual Models Based on Activities Conceptual Models Based on Objects
Designing interactive systems to mimic real objects. Designing interactive systems that are like other things. Broad classes of conceptual models.
Conceptual Models Based on Metaphors Interaction Paradigms
Getting Started
Where does interaction design start? The User Interface? The System Architecture? The Computer Program? None of the Above
Interaction design starts with the user...
The Matrix Reloaded
Failing to ask the user what they want can lead to the whole crops being lost...
Whats the Problem?
Resist the temptation to use the latest cool technology or spend hours creating beautiful graphics before really understanding what the design problem is to be solved.
This doesnt mean that you cant use the latest cool technology or spend hours creating beautiful graphics later on, just make sure that you understand the design problem rst. What is the problem you are try to solve? What are the important issues for the user?
Will your design support the user? How?
Checking Assumptions and Claims
What are the problems with a product?
Are there any problems with an existing product? If so, what do the users think are the problems? What do users think cause the problems? How will it support people in their activities? How does it address the identied problems? How will users integrate it into their lives?
How will your proposed design work? Why will your proposed design be useful?
Example: WAP
WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) Assumptions
WAP enabled people to connect to Internet services through there mobile phone with very small displays. People want to stay informed wherever they are. People want to interact while on the move. People want to make decisions on the move. People will be happy using a very small screen.
How reasonable are these assumptions?
Conceptual Models
A description of a proposed system as a set of integrated ideas and concepts about what it should do, behave and look like, that will be understandable by its users in the manner intended.
Conceptual Models Based on Activities
Instructing
User issues instructions to the system, e.g. command line interfaces, computer-aided design systems User converses with the system, e.g. phone-based menu systems, interactive agents User manipulates aspects of the system, e.g. desktop, virtual environments, videogames User explores the systems structure, e.g. books, CDs, help systems, the web
Conversing
Manipulating and navigating Exploring and browsing
Activities
What activities do the following products support? iTunes Music Store Photoshop AIM/MSN Messenger
Conceptual Models Based on Objects
Conceptual models can be based on objects that users are familiar with in the context
Conceptual models based on objects provide users with clues about what a product does and does not support.
Often the conceptual model provides a good starting point for exploring a new product
Typically, a new product will have additional features when compared to the object on which they are based.
Sometimes the conceptual model needs to simulate an existing object or system
Systems that are designed for training need to capture all of the important aspects e.g. ight simulators.
Example:VisiCalc
VisiCalc was a revolutionary application for the Apple and IBM PCs (the rst killer app)
Released in 1979,VisiCalc was one of the rst apps to make computers useful for normal people
VisiCalc was based on a paper ledger sheet, a familiar objects for people in nance
Dan Bricklin knew how accountants etc. worked and also knew what the problems with other software
VisiCalc could do lots of things that could not be done with a ledger sheet
e.g. automatic calculations of cell values etc.
www.bricklin.com
Example: Xerox Star
In 1981, Xerox introduced the Star system that revolutionised personal computing
The system Star wasnt commercially successful but Apple and Microsoft borrowed extensively from it.
Much of the Star user interface was based on familiar objects in an ofce
e.g. documents as pieces of papers, directories as folders, in trays for e-mail, trash cans, etc.
Conceptual Models Based on Metaphors
(AKA: Interface Metaphors) Conceptual models based on metaphors to existing objects or systems that are similar
Products designed to be similar in some way to aspects of an existing object or system but that has its own behaviours and properties
Metaphors are meant to provide a hint at the essence of a product or process
Metaphors provide clues about how something works in a general sense that users can use to explore further
Example: Spiders
Automatic systems that explore the World Wide Web are often referred to as spiders These systems autonomously explore the system by following the links between pages
The metaphor is that these systems are like spiders following the threads that make up their web Spiders are used by search engines (e.g. Google) to index web pages and record the links between them
NOTE:You dont have to understand the details to get a sense of what spiders do.
Why are Interface Metaphors Popular?
Interface metaphors are popular because they can help explain difcult concepts
Interface metaphors can often explain difcult concepts sufciently in terms of something that is familiar
Computer systems are often complex and have no direct analog in the real world
Interface metaphors can help explain these concepts without lots of technical details
Obscure Metaphors
Sometimes interface metaphors are very obscure and little more than clever naming
Obscure names are often found in highly-technical computer systems, hackers love obscure metaphors
Example: Bluetooth is a wireless technology that allows many devices to communicate
Bluetooth gets its name from a Viking King, King Harald Blue Tooth, who united Scandinavia allowing many people to talk to each other.
Obviously, obscure metaphors dont help the user but they can be fun to learn about.
Problems Using Interface Metaphors
Breaking the rules: metaphors often break logical/cultural rules when implemented Too constraining: using metaphors can make simple tasks complicated, e.g. nding a le Conicting with design principles: using a metaphor can conict with good design Too limiting for the user: using a metaphor can ...