interface – Dr. Ray Pastore's Instructional Technology Blog

Guidelines for interface design

admin — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 18:10:11 +0000

*Note 1 – these are general guidelines that need to be modified for each project and media type.
*Note 2 – I would first consider: Users, Context, Technology, Goals/objectives, Task Analysis
*Note 3 – These would be examined in order to start creating a design that is usable (usability), and then I would evaluate my prototypes using heurisitc, pluralistic, style, and cognitive walkthrough

1. Simple and natural dialogue

1.1. Speak the users’ language

2. Minimize cognitive load

2.1. Miller 1956 – 7 Concepts (+/- 2)

3. Multimedia principles

3.1. Images and text that explain for one another

3.2. No extra details – only what is required; no unnecessary images

3.3. Highlight important information

3.4. No busy screens/backgrounds/fonts

3.5. Fitt’s law

4. Be consistent

5. Colors/fonts/layout – across the site/app

5.1 Colors – 2-4; fonts – legible; layout – Grid and organized

6. Follow current font, color, layout trends

7. Provide feedback

8. Provide clearly marked exits

9. Provide shortcuts

9.1. Breadcrumbs

10. Deal with errors in positive and helpful manner

11. Develop for the output technology – resolution, colors, golden ratio/rectangle

12. Rule of thirds

13. Provide help and documentation

13.1.Site map

14. User friendly layout

14.1.Buttons/links easy to find/use

14.2.This will vary based on audience and objectives

14.3.Color, fonts, layout, sizes

Designing for multiple devices

admin — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 14:11:48 +0000

Here is a nice article on mashable that addresses many of the issues encountered when trying to develop content for multiple devices. While its a basic (high level for the most part) article it does point out some major points on computer vs tablet vs mobile design and is well worth the read:

http://mashable.com/2012/07/07/designing-for-multiple-devices/

Google Interface Design

admin — Mon, 28 May 2012 22:24:35 +0000

Here is a good site designed by Google that explains how to design for the Android OS 4.0. I think this is an excellent way for Google to speak for its designers and help people without any design experience learn some of the basics. I just sent this link to my interface design class: http://developer.android.com/design/index.html