Designing for Usability OBJECTIVE: Learn “usability” principles related to design for interactive media.

Terms INFORMATION DESIGN Organization and presentation of information on a page INTERFACE DESIGN Design of the elements the user interacts with (e.g., buttons, menus, etc.)

The Basics Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Usability refers to how easy or difficult it is to get around a web site, CD-ROM, or other interactive environment. Navigation is the way we get around inside a site. Intuitive Experience Expected ways to navigate Usability guru Jakob Nielsen (useit.com)

Webpagesthatsuck.COM Yup, this is a real site.

Why does this site suck?

Nielsen says every page must answer: Where am I? Where have I been? Where can I go? What can this site do for me?

“Where am I?” Logo, Page Titles, Matching Buttons

“Where can I go?” Clearly labeled links, buttons, etc. Clear: Tree frogs are usually green. Unclear: Click here to learn more about tree frogs. Use your “Store Window”

Simplicity -Navigation Bars -Breadth over Depth -3-click Rule

Simple - consistent menus

Drop-down – top remains same, side menu changes

Menu Breadth Use menus, avoid “back” buttons Keep menus consistent Show what you’re selling Instead of “products” or “store” or “services,” get specific, unless products and services are sidelines Breadth Over Depth: 3-Click Rule

QUESTIONS? © 2005 Juliet Davis