Investigating User Interfaces

Purpose, features and functionality, users Content National 4 National 5 User interface User interface (also applies in software design and development) User requirements (visual layout, navigation, selection, consistency, interactivity, readability) Purpose, features and functionality, users Simple descriptions of main features and functionality Description of purpose Users: expert, novice, age-range

Learning Intentions National 4:- National 5:- Identify the purpose of the information system being investigated:- Simple descriptions of main features and functionality National 5:- Identify the range and type of users of the information system being investigated:- expert, novice, age-range Describe a well-made user interface:- visual layout, navigation, selection, consistency, interactivity, readability

Purpose Different websites have different purposes eg. To inform, shopping, banking etc Look at these websites and identify their purpose: School website www.amazon.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ www.theaa.com/route-planner/index.jsp

Types of users When developing a website, the developer must consider who the website is intended for – ie. the target audience Consider the type of users – expert, novice Age range e.g. children, teenagers, adults Different media types that could be used Balance of media types Different navigation features Accessibility – different colours/text size/audio

Describe the users Look at these websites and describe the users (expert, novice, age range) Website 1 Website 2 Website 3 Website 4 Describe the users of Click and Go

Visual Layout A A A Pages should look appealing to all users Avoid information overload Ensure a balance between graphics and text Accessibility features Target audience Clutter Use of colour/White space

Navigation Consideration must be given to how the user will navigate the information system Browser buttons – back, forward, home Hyperlinks – blue and underlined, hover over and pointer changes to a hand Hotspot - hover over and pointer changes to a hand, action is invoked Pop-up menu Search feature Lost in hyperspace

Selection Consideration must be given to how the user will interact with and make choices within the information system. Menu selection Form fill Radio button Hotspot

Consistency Pages should have a consistent appearance throughout the information system Text style, font, colour Use of colour Page balance Navigation features

Consistency Look at the following websites and comment on the consistency: Website 1 Website 2 Website 3

Interactivity When the user interacts with a page, what changes might happen in response to the user other than navigation level of difficulty increases if you do well e.g. training website information on particular topic Audio Dialogue eg. Error reporting

Accessibility About making the website usable by everyone all abilities all impairments Good websites are designed so that all users can access the information

Summary The target audience is the person/people who will use the website The purpose of the website should be clear Navigation features should be easy to use Pages should be visually appealing and consistent

Worksheet task Evaluate the websites