Information Design Process Shashank Deshpande VERITAS Software July, 2003
ID Process Discovery Analysis Prototyping Review target audiences, messages, needs, desires d constraints Analysis comprehending, relating, and categorizing information discovered Prototyping Design decisions and modeling Review Test with target audience
Knowledge in the Head vs. in the World
Product Interfaces Physical Interface Cognitive Interface Knobs & Dials, Keyboard, Mouse, Display Devices Cognitive Interface Affordances, Constraints, Mapping Conceptual Interface Deals with formation Mental model In software user-interface design – conceptual and cognitive interfaces are most important. Other two interfaces are out of purview of software design.
Cognitive Interface Deals with nitty-gritty of formation of conceptual model. Components: Affordances – buttons for clicking, scroll bars for scrolling, Constraints Mapping – use population stereotypes/cultural standards Relation between user’s intention, required actions and results should be sensible, non-arbitrary and meaningful Interfaces should be conceptually understood by your mom. How did I explain Sony Viao picture book to my Mom – It’s a computer with camera attached to it… that’s it that was sufficient for her to understand What it was and what it could do?
Conceptual Interface Formation of conceptual model Closely associated with user’s mental model Conceptual interface is an abstraction of reality that user could relate to Knowledge in the world rather than knowledge in the head Examples – Spreadsheets, desktop metaphor, etc. Bloopers – Bus Ticket, Taxi Tariff cards, etc. Interfaces should be conceptually understood by your mom. How did I explain Sony Viao picture book to my Mom – It’s a computer with camera attached to it… that’s it that was sufficient for her to understand What it was and what it could do? Can you explain how a car works? Or how lock and key mechanism works?