Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Usability Dimension: "Usable"
USABLE.
Last feature discussed few examples and theories about a useful interface. This feature will focus on "usable" aspect of user interfaces. Often, we focus too much on our sites and applications being functionally useful and perfect; also making it very desirable and attractive, but losing focus on the vital concept: ease of use. One reason maybe because the interface-centered methods and perspectives of human-computer interaction do not address all dimensions of website/product design.
Of all dimensions of usability, usable is perhaps one of the closest attributes that is a direct contribution towards user productivity gains. Ease of use minimizes:
A useful and simple website is going to yield more repeat traffic in long term, even if it's not good to look at.
Few examples of a good balance between "useful" and "usable" and not categorically "desirable":
The above list, you shall agree consists of few of the most used internet sites and these belong to this category of being usable and useful, but not visually appealing or desirable. A couple more examples of relatively unknown sites that are "ugly" and still work like a charm because of being usable:
Not making your interfaces usable is not a mistake, but outright blunder. Remember, if one of your users gets lost trying to navigate your website, check out of your web store, or finding simple contact information, then you unnecessarily are increasing the chances that this user will simply leave. This particular aspect of usability is best not kept optional. It is a must.
Watch this space as we discuss the next usability dimension: Desirable.
Last feature discussed few examples and theories about a useful interface. This feature will focus on "usable" aspect of user interfaces. Often, we focus too much on our sites and applications being functionally useful and perfect; also making it very desirable and attractive, but losing focus on the vital concept: ease of use. One reason maybe because the interface-centered methods and perspectives of human-computer interaction do not address all dimensions of website/product design.
Of all dimensions of usability, usable is perhaps one of the closest attributes that is a direct contribution towards user productivity gains. Ease of use minimizes:
- erroneous actions
- need of training
- time spent on tasks
A useful and simple website is going to yield more repeat traffic in long term, even if it's not good to look at.
Few examples of a good balance between "useful" and "usable" and not categorically "desirable":
The above list, you shall agree consists of few of the most used internet sites and these belong to this category of being usable and useful, but not visually appealing or desirable. A couple more examples of relatively unknown sites that are "ugly" and still work like a charm because of being usable:
- Plenty of Fish - a very plain looking website that offers a free online dating service much like Match.com (but without the subscription fee). There is nothing specifically impressive about the website that stands out, in fact the site is actually rather ugly. A second look at the website on its reported earnings revealed that it brings in over $10,000 from Adsense – in one day. For those of you counting, that is $300,000 per month and nearly one million dollars in just three months.
(borrowed from this site) - Ryanair - audible gasps are possible when you see this site, for its ugly nature. However, Ryanair experiences online bookings to the tune of several millions a year.
Not making your interfaces usable is not a mistake, but outright blunder. Remember, if one of your users gets lost trying to navigate your website, check out of your web store, or finding simple contact information, then you unnecessarily are increasing the chances that this user will simply leave. This particular aspect of usability is best not kept optional. It is a must.
Watch this space as we discuss the next usability dimension: Desirable.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Usability Dimension: "Useful"
USEFUL.
It may be observed that when a website or product is usable, but not useful, it's unlikely to get off the ground. Useful is what generates the interest, serves a need, scratches an itch. Often useful can do without being usable. If your website page has large content that is "useful" for the user making an informed decision/action, you may have to sacrifice on the usability by allowing horizontal/vertical scroll and pop-up/navigation elements. Another standard usability principle suggests alphabetical order of drop-down menus, which is usable in nature, as the users can do without additional cognitive load in narrowing down their choice of action. However, if an unsorted but prioritized menu items are presented to the users based on the most useful options presented first; the system might prove to be more useful after all.
Few Examples of Useful but Low on Overall Usability:
As usability and UI practitioners, we cannot be content to paint within the lines drawn by customers and the known patterns of usability. We must courageously and creatively question the usefulness of the system and functionalities and the user interface elements. Thus, we seek to apply our deep knowledge of craft and medium to define innovative solutions that are more useful.
Watch this space for examples of next usability dimension: Usable.
It may be observed that when a website or product is usable, but not useful, it's unlikely to get off the ground. Useful is what generates the interest, serves a need, scratches an itch. Often useful can do without being usable. If your website page has large content that is "useful" for the user making an informed decision/action, you may have to sacrifice on the usability by allowing horizontal/vertical scroll and pop-up/navigation elements. Another standard usability principle suggests alphabetical order of drop-down menus, which is usable in nature, as the users can do without additional cognitive load in narrowing down their choice of action. However, if an unsorted but prioritized menu items are presented to the users based on the most useful options presented first; the system might prove to be more useful after all.
Few Examples of Useful but Low on Overall Usability:
- ecademy
- Most Torrent / Freeware Download sites
- craigslist
- experts-exchange
- only batteries
- flickr
- salesforce (App not Website)
- exactitudes
- igluski
As usability and UI practitioners, we cannot be content to paint within the lines drawn by customers and the known patterns of usability. We must courageously and creatively question the usefulness of the system and functionalities and the user interface elements. Thus, we seek to apply our deep knowledge of craft and medium to define innovative solutions that are more useful.
Watch this space for examples of next usability dimension: Usable.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Dimensions of Usability
Is it more important for your website/product to be desirable or accessible? How about usable or credible? The truth is, it depends on your unique balance of 'context', 'content', and 'users' - and the required trade-offs are better made explicitly than unconsciously or subconsciously.
We'll attempt to discuss and exemplify various aspects and dimensions of usability and user experience - that should be actively considered for the visualization of our brand, product, website, etc. In a series of blog articles, we'll discuss the following dimensions of user interfaces, singularly:
Watch this space as we explore the topics with appropriate examples.
We'll attempt to discuss and exemplify various aspects and dimensions of usability and user experience - that should be actively considered for the visualization of our brand, product, website, etc. In a series of blog articles, we'll discuss the following dimensions of user interfaces, singularly:
- useful
- usable
- desirable
- findable
- accessible
- credible
- valuable
Watch this space as we explore the topics with appropriate examples.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Principles of User Interface Design
from the theory of Larry Constantine and Lucy Lockwood in their usage-centered design, the principles are:
Structure Principle
Simplicity Principle
Visibility Principle
Feedback Principle
Tolerance Principle
Reuse Principle
The user interface of an application will often make or break it. Although the functionality that an application provides to users is important, the way in which it provides that functionality is just as important. An application that is difficult to use won’t be used. Period. It won’t matter how technically superior your software is or what functionality it provides, if your users don’t like it they simply won’t use it. Don’t underestimate the value of user interface design nor of usability.
Structure Principle
- organize the user interface purposefully
- make it meaningful and useful based on clear, consistent models apparent and recognizable to users
- put related things together; separate unrelated things
- differentiate dissimilar things, make similar things resemble one another
Simplicity Principle
- make simple, common tasks simple to do
- communicate clearly and simply in user’s own language
- provide good shortcuts that are meaningfully related to longer procedures
Visibility Principle
- keep all needed options and materials for a given task visible
- do not distract user with extraneous and redundant information
- do not confuse user with too many alternatives for performing same task
Feedback Principle
- inform actions or interpretations
- inform changes of state or condition
- inform errors or exceptions
- keep mode of communication – relevant, clear, concise, and in language familiar to user
Tolerance Principle
- reduce cost of mistakes and misuse by allowing ‘undo’ and ‘redo’
- prevent errors by tolerating varied inputs and sequences and by interpreting reasonable actions
Reuse Principle
- reuse internal and external components and behaviors; maintaining consistency with purpose
- reduce the need for users to rethink and remember
The user interface of an application will often make or break it. Although the functionality that an application provides to users is important, the way in which it provides that functionality is just as important. An application that is difficult to use won’t be used. Period. It won’t matter how technically superior your software is or what functionality it provides, if your users don’t like it they simply won’t use it. Don’t underestimate the value of user interface design nor of usability.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
People Focus
inspired by one of my mentors, Thomas Ewe.
People.
We are in the people business. We may be software, consulting, and services vendor, but make no mistake; we are in the 'people' business. People make our world tick. We group people in two: External and Internal. While outsiders are very important to us, insiders are EVERYONE among and EVERYTHING to us. How we treat those on the outside is the subject of another philosophy.
In the definition of ourselves, we are interested only in people on the inside (employees, consultants, vendor partners) and it can be summed up in one sentence; "we take care of our own." For us to succeed, it takes all to make it happen. And therefore, we arrive at the fundamental concept of teamwork. What one person can accomplish is limited. But when all of us pull together in one focused direction, the result of our combined efforts will be multiplied. Suddenly it takes less to accomplish more.
As a team, we cover and make up for each others weaknesses. And when we come together; we expose none of them to outsiders. We compete against outsiders, never among ourselves. So to those on the outside, all they will feel is the brunt of one combined, focused blow.
As blood is to the body; 'information' is to the 'team.' So, information should flow freely and shared freely. It should be written up and cataloged for future reference, so that we don't reinvent the wheel again and again. Any work that we do or are about to do, we must think of how others can leverage and build on top of it; and then structure it just that way. Facilitate. And don't underestimate the power of hard work. The little additional time you spend now; reap enormous rewards even if your work is only reused once in future; and the rewards snowball as it is reused more than once.
Faith. We trust and love our people beyond religious beliefs. We respect humanity, while appreciating and honoring our individual decisions to come-together and work-together. Even though our love is secular; it is nonetheless applied with absolute conviction. Just as the army leaves no wounded behind; we strive to be inclusive, supportive, fair and appreciative. So we stand faced in one direction; and walk towards one destination.
"The automobile capital of the world is not Detroit; it's Toyota City; where everyone considers himself a brother of the other."
People.
We are in the people business. We may be software, consulting, and services vendor, but make no mistake; we are in the 'people' business. People make our world tick. We group people in two: External and Internal. While outsiders are very important to us, insiders are EVERYONE among and EVERYTHING to us. How we treat those on the outside is the subject of another philosophy.
In the definition of ourselves, we are interested only in people on the inside (employees, consultants, vendor partners) and it can be summed up in one sentence; "we take care of our own." For us to succeed, it takes all to make it happen. And therefore, we arrive at the fundamental concept of teamwork. What one person can accomplish is limited. But when all of us pull together in one focused direction, the result of our combined efforts will be multiplied. Suddenly it takes less to accomplish more.
As a team, we cover and make up for each others weaknesses. And when we come together; we expose none of them to outsiders. We compete against outsiders, never among ourselves. So to those on the outside, all they will feel is the brunt of one combined, focused blow.
As blood is to the body; 'information' is to the 'team.' So, information should flow freely and shared freely. It should be written up and cataloged for future reference, so that we don't reinvent the wheel again and again. Any work that we do or are about to do, we must think of how others can leverage and build on top of it; and then structure it just that way. Facilitate. And don't underestimate the power of hard work. The little additional time you spend now; reap enormous rewards even if your work is only reused once in future; and the rewards snowball as it is reused more than once.
Faith. We trust and love our people beyond religious beliefs. We respect humanity, while appreciating and honoring our individual decisions to come-together and work-together. Even though our love is secular; it is nonetheless applied with absolute conviction. Just as the army leaves no wounded behind; we strive to be inclusive, supportive, fair and appreciative. So we stand faced in one direction; and walk towards one destination.
"The automobile capital of the world is not Detroit; it's Toyota City; where everyone considers himself a brother of the other."
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