1. Information Design Process
Shashank Deshpande
VERITAS Software
July, 2003

2. 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

3. Knowledge in the Head vs. in the World

4. 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.

5. 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?

6. 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?