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Chapter 1.9 Designing the User Interface
Note: Much of the content of this chapter has already been covered in sections 1.2.d and
1.4.e and this chapter should be read in conjunction with those two sections.
1.9 (a)
Importance of Good Interface Design
However complex the software, however expensive and powerful the hardware, the
system is unusable if there is no intuitively simple to use interface with the human being
who is in control of the system or for whom the system is producing results. The HCI
must be unambiguous, allow the user to input all the data that the user thinks important,
and produce the output in an easily understandable form.
The intended user of the interface must be taken into account. The interface design for a
pre school playgroup to learn about numbers is going to be very different from the design
of an interface for the manager of a chemical plant to keep a check on the reactions
around the plant. The interface that this manager would use to study a particular reaction
(perhaps tables of figures, or graphs showing the different parameters of the reaction) is
very different from the interface the same person would use if they wanted to see the flow
of a chemical around the whole site. This would probably be in the form of a
diagrammatic representation of the site. The circumstances under which the interface is to
operate are also important. In the last chapter mention was made of the nurse looking
after a group of patients. In those circumstances an audible warning that a problem may
be occurring is far more sensible than a visual one which may be ignored if the nurses
attention is drawn away from the screen. Finally, the designer of the interface needs to
take account of the purpose for which the interface was designed, namely the transfer of
data into the system and the communication of information from the system to the user. If
the user is using the computer to play a game then the paramount importance of the
interface is that it adds to the enjoyment of the user.
Consideration of the purpose of the interface,
who it is for
what information needs to be conveyed
the circumstances under which the interface must operate
the effectiveness of the communication
the enjoyment obtained from using it
are all important when the interface is being designed.
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1.9 (b)
HCI Design Issues
Short term and Long term memory:
The information produced by a system can be of such a large volume that it is not
possible for all the information to be stored for future use by the user. Some of the
information is presented via the user computer interface, perhaps in the form of a
scrolling graph. Such data is very transitory in nature because the screen display is being
constantly updated. Such data is part of the short term memory. The long term memory is
that which stores the data for future reference.
Visual perception:
This includes all the information that is presented by the system in such a way that it can
be seen with the eyes. This means that the information will be presented on a screen or on
a hardcopy produced by a printer. The size of individual pieces of information will be
important as will the contrast used and the type of font in the case of text.
Color:
Color is an important part of any HCI. The contrasting use of colors can highlight the
more important information, or can be used to distinguish one type of information from
another. The different levels of contrast between colors are necessary if the individual
items of information are to stand out. Black on white provides the highest possible
contrast, while dark blue on black is very difficult to decipher.
Layout:
The layout of the data on the screen is important. The eye naturally reads from left to
right and from top to bottom. This means that more important information should be
positioned toward the top and left of the screen. The volume of information on the screen
at any one time is also important because there is a limit to the amount that the eye can
follow and the brain distinguishes in one sweep of the screen content. If the information
should be seen in an order, then the correct screen order is from top left to bottom right
corners, as the eye naturally reads.
Content:
The content of the information presented is important because a user will soon begin to
ignore items of information that are constantly being put on the screen despite not being
necessary. Similarly, if a method is used to show that a piece of information needs urgent
attention, while the operator does not perceive the urgency, then all such highlighted
information may be begun to be ignored in the same way.
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1.9 (c)
Characteristics of a User Interface
This work has all been covered in previous sections. Particular sections referred to are
1.2.d for type of software interface, 1.4.e for hardware interface and 1.8.d for the type of
report produced.
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Example Questions
A company has a workforce of around 2000. Some work in the office using the
computer system for administrative tasks, while others use the computer system on
the production line for giving details of orders that need to be manufactured.
1.
Describe the factors that would have been important in the design of the software
interfaces to be used by the office workers and the shop floor workers.
(6)
2.
The office workers often have to key in the details of new members of the
workforce. The details of the worker are on a standard form which the new
employee fills in. Explain how a form based software interface would be useful to
the worker who has to key in the data.
(4)
Explain the types of output that would be expected from the computer on the
factory production line, if it is used to control the speed of the production line as
well as being used as a tool for the workers.
(4)
3.
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