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User Interface Design is known variously as Human
Computer Interaction (HCI), Presentation Design, Usability Engineering,
User Centered Design or Human Factors Design.
One formal definition toward an industry standard is:
"Human-centered design is
characterised by: the active involvement of users and a clear understanding
of user and task requirements; an appropriate allocation of function
between users and technology; the iteration of design solutions;
multi-disciplinary design" - ISO 13407
The Problem:
"Despite the outward success of personal computers, the daily
experience of using computers is far too often still fraught with
difficulty, pain and barriers for most people... The lack of usability
and poor design of programs is the secret shame of the industry".
- Mitch Kapor, 1991
Solution: Years later, the challenge remains
for software developers to adopt the marketing philosophy of the business world that
places the customer at the very heart of the operation. It is the role of User
Interface Design in the development process to realize that heart.
A Working Definition describes
a multi-faceted role for User Interface Design. A User Interface must:
- present, organize, format, layout, visualize,
engage, appeal, invite, offer, assist, direct, orient, assure, support, reinforce,
empower, interpret, compare, combine, accumulate, request, return, validate,
document, remember...
- more succinctly — a User Interface must be appropriate
to the task at hand and enjoyable to use.
More about UID: We have described here some
of the theoretical 'What' about UI Design. More specific questions about UID include:
- 'Why' - The benefits and ROI
- 'Where and When' - Platforms and formats that use UID
- 'What' - The deliverables
- 'How' - The collaborative design and development process.
- 'Who' - In-house or outsource? flyTrap interactive
is your choice for a User Interface Design partner.
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