A lecture delivered for Human-Computer Interaction, a post-graduate level discipline taught by Dr. Sabin Buraga at Faculty of Computer Science, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Romania.
Visit also https://profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/teach/courses/hci/hci-film.html
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HCI 2018 (4/10) Information Architecture. From Design Patterns to Visual Design
1. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Human-Computer Interaction
from information architecture
to visual design
http://designforuse.net/work/
2. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
“I’ve been amazed at how often those outside
the discipline of design assume that
what designers do is decoration.
Good design is problem solving.”
Jeff Veen
3. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Necessity
A certain structure and presentation manner
for the information in order to be easily
perceived and consumed by users
4. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Solution
IA – Information Architecture
5. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
“Information architecture is the practice of
deciding how to arrange the parts of something
to be understandable.”
Information Architecture Institute
www.iainstitute.org/what-is-ia
6. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
IA is the creation of a (conceptual) structure – by using
hierarchies, categorizations, navigation, and metadata –
for a (digital) product such as an application or Web site
Louis Rosenfeld, Peter Morville, Jorge Arango,
Information Architecture: For the Web and Beyond
(4th Edition), O’Reilly, 2015
7. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Sheila Pontis, Information Architecture Model (2011)
sheilapontis.wordpress.com/2011/07/22/information-architecture-model/
8. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Software applications are organized by using
lists of objects
sequences of actions
lists of categories (topics) of interest
lists of software tools/components
9. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Lists of objects
denoted by substantives
examples:
operating system updates, e-mails,
shared pictures, locations of interest,…
10. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Lists of objects
denoted by substantives
ideally, the application could
recommend interesting items
for each user
11. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Sequences of actions
specified by verbs
e.g., browse, buy, register, sell, subscribe,…
12. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Sequences of actions
specified by verbs
e.g., browse, buy, register, sell, subscribe,…
software could suggest certain actions to be selected
by the users, conforming to their profiles
13. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
14. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Substantive–verb versus verb–substantive
object–action versus action–object
15. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Substantive–verb versus verb–substantive
object–action versus action–object
it is recommended to use
the substantive-verb style of interaction
Raskin, 2000
16. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Substantive–verb versus verb–substantive
object–action versus action–object
verb-substantive style could be useful for toolboxes
why?
17. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Lists of categories (topics) of interest
context: information-centric applications
examples:
science, technologies, entertainment, etc.
18. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
19. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Lists of software tools/components
useful for task-oriented applications
e.g., calendar, text editor, resource manager,…
20. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
21. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Aspects:
nature and domain of the software application
22. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Aspects:
background knowledge of the target users
23. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Aspects:
context of interaction
24. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
How information could be organized?
25. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Linear presentation
usually, different sorting criteria are applied:
alphabetical, spatial, temporal, significance,…
26. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
27. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/www.html5rocks.com/webappfieldguide/
28. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Bidimensional presentation
2 criteria/dimensions of interest are considered
examples:
geographical location + time
29. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
30. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Bidimensional presentation
a common use:
grid-based visualization of data
31. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
discussion
developer.amazon.com/public/solutions/devices/fire-tv/docs/design-and-user-experience-guidelines
32. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information ArchitectureHierarchical presentation
tree-like structures having one or more levels
used to show certain relations
between things:
parent–child, grouping, etc.
frequent use: menus
33. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
clairebarco.com/projects/information-architecture/
34. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
case study
a traditional hierarchical index:
rigid taxonomy to access information
35. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
case study
integrating faceted
search with IA
Spagnolo et al. (2010)
journalofia.org/volume2/issue1/03-spagnolo/
36. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Context-based presentation
space
time
user profile
37. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Context-based presentation
space
time
user profile
examples:
maps, charts, timelines, recommended information,…
38. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
space
& time
user profile
39. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Complex presentation
could use a combination of previous solutions
40. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
discussion
41. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Traditionally, the presentation of data will employ
regions: windows, pages
+
interaction elements: UI controls
42. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
organizing information
43. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Design patterns
recurring solutions that solve common design problems
44. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Design patterns
recurring solutions that solve common design problems
J. Tidwell, Designing Interfaces, O’Reilly, 2005
Adele (a repository of publicly available design systems
and pattern libraries) – adele.uxpin.com
Ecaterina Moraru, Interaction Design Patterns, 2011
profs.info.uaic.ro/~evalica/patterns/
45. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Two-panel selector
Jenifer Tidwell, 2005
used to show selectable interactive elements
for each selected element,
certain details or its content could be presented
46. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
h5ai – a beautified Apache index based on HTML5
larsjung.de/h5ai/
47. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Two-panel selector
useful for presentation of lists:
resources
categories
actions
…
48. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Two-panel selector
decreases the interaction effort: e.g., mouse manipulation
reduces the cognitive load
facilitates exploration
49. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
50. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Canvas + palette
Jenifer Tidwell, 2005
offers a palette (toolbox) containing objects/actions
used in conjunction to a workplace (canvas)
51. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
MacPaint (1984)
versus
Photoshop
52. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Canvas + palette
used by visual editing applications to create objects
and to arrange them within a virtual space
53. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Canvas + palette
the palette facilitates visual recognition via icons
(sometimes, grouped by categories)
for interaction,
selections or drag & drop could be adopted
54. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
One-window drilldown
presenting information by using a single window only
55. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
One-window drilldown
useful for depicting the content on reduced-size screens:
mobile device, TV, appliance, etc.
56. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
(mobile) Web context:
SPA – Single Page Applications
examples: onepagelove.com
57. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
(mobile) Web context:
PWA – Progressive Web Apps
pwa.rocks
58. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Alternative views
Jenifer Tidwell, 2005
user has the possibility to choose alternative views
these presentations are structurally different,
not just visually
59. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
60. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Alternative views
accommodate certain user preferences or goals
regarding a given context of interaction
61. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Wizard
instructs user to execute step-by-step actions,
conforming to a predefined scenario
“don’t make me think, just tell me what to do next”
62. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
additional examples: ui-patterns.com/patterns/Wizard/
63. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Wizard
must provide:
an accurate (logical) sequence of tasks
+
a suitable structure of presented information
64. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Extras on demand
presenting main information only, “hiding” the details
65. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
66. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Extras on demand
design advice:
make sure the entrance to and exit from
the “extras” window/page are obvious
67. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Multi-level help
using multiple help methods,
directly located in the user interface
(embedded help – local and/or remote)
user assistance and/or user guidance
www.uxmatters.com/topics/design/user-assistance-design/
68. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
aspects of interest:
online help vs. offline help
generic help + search facilities
context-based help
community help
natural interaction
user manual/guide
discussion
69. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Multi-level help
design rules:
only what users need
action-oriented
support error recovery
www.slideshare.net/JangGraat/from-user-assistance-to-user-guidance-information-apps
70. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
design patterns:
exploration
71. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Locating objects in the user proximity
signposts
window/page title
logo
selection signage
…
72. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Helping users to find the way towards their goal
wayfinding
good signage
environmental clues
maps
73. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
discussion
What signposts are used? There are wayfinding clues?
74. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Important aspect
minimizing distanceincreasing interface ergonomics
75. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Important aspect
minimizing distanceincreasing interface ergonomics
3-Click-Rule: users stop using the site if they aren’t able
to find the information or access the site features
within 3 mouse clicks
76. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Using UML diagrams – Tidwell (2005)
4 pages + 7 “jumps” (clicks)
77. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
the user makes 9 actions – being “lost in space”,
but the optimal number of steps (clicks) is 3
T. Tullis, B. Albert, Measuring the User Experience
(2nd Edition), Morgan Kaufmann, 2013
78. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
GOMS
(Goals, Operators, Methods, and Selection rules)
Card et al., 1983; John & Kieras, 1996
to study the sequence of actions that must be performed
by users in order to accomplish their goal,
conforming to their abilities
web.eecs.umich.edu/~kieras/goms.html
79. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
GOMS
offers a quantitative analysis
initially, keyboard-based interaction was considered
(KLM – keystroke-level model)
www.it.bton.ac.uk/staff/rng/teaching/notes/goms.html
80. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Keying: time it takes to tap a key on the keyboard
K = 0.2 seconds
Pointing: time it takes to point to a position on display
P = 1.1 seconds
Homing: time it takes to move hand
from the keyboard to the interface or vice-versa
H = 0.4 seconds
Mentally preparing: time to prepare for the next step
M = 1.35 seconds
Responding: wait for a computer to respond to input
R = depends on computational task to be executed
81. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Keying: time it takes to tap a key on the keyboard
K = 0.2 seconds
Pointing: time it takes to point to a position on display
P = 1.1 seconds
Homing: time it takes to move hand
from the keyboard to the interface or vice-versa
H = 0.4 seconds
Mentally preparing: time to prepare for the next step
M = 1.35 seconds
Responding: wait for a computer to respond to input
R = depends on computational task to be executed
the values could vary
(we should consider the real user abilities)
82. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
UI evaluation for a software tool able to convert
CelsiusFahrenheit temperature (Raskin, 2000)
case study
~5.4 sec.
~20.8 sec.
83. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
GOMS
extensions:
NGOMSL – Natural GOMS Language
CMP-GOMS – Cognitive-Motor-Perceptual GOMS (1988)
human-factors.arc.nasa.gov/publications/20051025121038_chi02.pdf
84. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
GOMS
for details, read:
B. John, D. Kieras, “The GOMS Family of User Interface
Analysis Techniques: Comparison and Contrast”, ACM
Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction, 3 (4), 1996
www.di.ubi.pt/~agomes/ihc/artigos/john2.pdf
85. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
GOMS
“without a quantitative guide,
we are only guessing at how well we are doing
and at how much room there is for improvement”
Jef Raskin
86. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Global navigation
assures the existence of navigational elements –
consistently positioned – to help users to access
the most important sections of the application/site
87. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
88. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Hub and spoke
isolating application sections into independent
mini-applications/mini-sites,
that can be directly accessed via main window/page
89. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
hub & spoke: used mainly in mobile computing context
Dennis Kardys, Wayfinding for the Mobile Web (2014)
www.smashingmagazine.com/2014/10/wayfinding-for-the-mobile-web/
90. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Hub and spoke
like global navigation pattern, it could be used
to structure typical “paths” of the user thru the interface
also, can provide support for scalability
91. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Pyramid
a solution for hierarchical + sequential exploration
92. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Pyramid
could be used in conjunction to the one-window drilldown
93. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Modal panel
showing only one page, with no other navigation options,
until the user solves the immediate problem
94. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
95. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Modal panel
interrupts the current task – it could break the user’s flow
anti-pattern
apply this design pattern sparingly
96. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
error messages
discussion
Brazil (1985) – director: Terry Gilliam
www.imdb.com/title/tt0088846/
97. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
error messages
an error message is really helpful?
bad file number
segmentation fault: core dumped
broken pipe
404 not found
fatal error 312: aborting
literal 13 could not be allocated
internal error: object container empty
error exit delayed from previous errors
discussion
98. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
error messages
an error message is really helpful?
discussion
99. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
error messages
error messages must not confuse users
discussion
100. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
error messages
the tone of an error message must inspire confidence
an unknown error occurred
discussion
101. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
error messages
avoid patronizing and arrogant attitudes
Cannot delete Document: Access is denied!
versus
This file is protected and cannot be
deleted without specific permission.
discussion
102. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
error messages
better substitutions of certain terms
abort end, cancel, stop
available ready
boot start, run
error
execute complete
hit press, depress
invalid not correct/good/valid
kill end, cancel
output report, list, display
terminate end, exit
discussion
103. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
error messages
don’t make user to feel guilty
(users are more important than code)
discussion
104. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
error messagepositive feedback message
discussion
for creative examples, consult fab404.com
105. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Breadcrumbs
give users an alternative method of navigation
106. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Breadcrumbs
give users an alternative method of navigation
types:
path
location
attribute
107. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
108. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Breadcrumbs
revealing useful clues about the site/application’s
information architecture
this pattern does not provide information
regarding the next possible – if any – step
109. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Sequence map
indicates a sequence of actions + the current step
110. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Sabin-Corneliu Buraga – profs.info.uaic.ro/~busaco/
Information Architecture
Sequence map
it can be used in conjunction to wizard
if the navigational topology is large & hierarchical,
it could be substituted by breadcrumbs
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Information Architecture
Color-coded sections
facilitating the recognition of a certain place
within a site/application
www.dgottwald.org/above-and-below/
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Information Architecture
alternatively, other visual variables – e.g., textures –
could be used to convey the differences/meanings
between various UI regions
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Information Architecture
Escape hatch
provides means for “escaping”
from a place having limited navigational options
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Information Architecture
Escape hatch
helps people feel like they can safely explore
an application
when navigation assumes the execution of an action,
an alternative is the undo design pattern
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Visual Design
Several details about visual design?
1stwebdesigner.com/mobile-apps-designs/
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UI designvisual design
in most cases, for traditional interactions
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UI designvisual design
visualization = graphical representation of data/concepts
Ware, 2004
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Visual design
Main elements (Dan Saffer, 2006):
layout
grid
visual flow
typography
color, shape, texture
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Visual design
Main elements (Dan Saffer, 2006):
layout
where & how content and interaction controls are placed
alistapart.com/topic/layout-grids
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Visual design
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experiment
Advice: avoid multi-column layouts
context: presenting (Web) form to be filled in
issue: users are likely to interpret the fields inconsistently
5 different ways
to interpret how
form fields relate
for 2-column layout
baymard.com/blog/avoid-multi-column-forms
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Visual design
Main elements (Dan Saffer, 2006):
layout
facilitated by templates
Web template systems
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w3layouts.com/free-responsive-html5-css3-website-templates/
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Visual design
Main elements (Dan Saffer, 2006):
grid
provides a coherent structure of information
www.thegridsystem.org
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strategies:
golden ratio, 3-column grid, simplicity, balance, unity
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Visual design
Main elements (Dan Saffer, 2006):
visual flow
refers to methods of understanding and/or interacting
with presented data
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experiment
eyetracking visualizations show that users
often read Web pages in an F-shaped pattern:
2 horizontal stripes followed by a vertical stripe
Jakob Nielsen, 2006
www.nngroup.com/articles/f-shaped-pattern-reading-web-content/
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Visual design
icons presented by Control Panel (i.e. in Windows 7/8/10)
are organized in columns; they are sorted alphabetically
and laid out in left-to-right reading order
this layout violates our natural visual scanning pattern
www.antradar.com/blog-bad-ui-design-in-windows-control-panel
experiment
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Visual design
Main elements (Dan Saffer, 2006):
typography
presents the textual content via fonts
conforming to certain presentation rules
useful resources: ilovetypography.com
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for Web design, study webtypography.net
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Visual design
Main elements (Dan Saffer, 2006):
color, shape, texture
most important visual dimensions
used for a proper perception of information
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case study
color semantics
syntax highlighting
color-pick control
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discussion
using human perception
to recognize shapes
context: CAPTCHA
remarks:
image recognition
is useless if user is blind
metaphorical association
is useless if user is autistic
Q & A: CAPTCHA on mobile: what are the alternatives?
ux.stackexchange.com/questions/51864/captcha-on-mobile-what-are-the-alternatives
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Visual design
Form versus function
for the majority of users,
the look & feel is more important than functionality
remember UX?
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Visual design
Common mistakes
lack of organization (structure)
visual interference
complexity
excessive details
lack of adaptability
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Visual design
139. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
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Visual design
To properly present information,
visual dimensions are used
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Visual design
Different perceptions
regarding a certain visual dimension
insignificant differences must be eliminated
simplicity
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Visual design
Visual dimensions are differentiated via
visual variables
Jacques Bertin, Sémiologie graphique,
Mouton/Gauthier-Villars, Paris, 1967
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Visual design
www.infovis-wiki.net/index.php?title=Visual_Variables
value
changes from light to dark
hue (color)
changes in hue at a given value
texture
variation in “grain”
shape
infinite number of shapes
position
changes in the spatial location
orientation
changes in alignment
size
changes in length, area or
repetition
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Visual design
Visual dimensions are differentiated via
visual variables
do not require additional cognitive processing
144. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
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Visual design
Visual dimensions are differentiated via
visual variables
common usages:
communication
data codification
indicating differences between UI elements
145. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
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Visual design
Example: displaying the temperature
any visual variable could be used
color (hue), position relative to a scale,
length of thermometer, using an icon (shape),…
146. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
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Visual design
Visual variables have different levels of perception
>100 levels – hue & value
~10 levels – size
~4 levels – orientation
147. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
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Simone Garlandini & Sara Irina Fabrikant, “Evaluating the Effectiveness and
Efficiency of Visual Variables for Geographic Information Visualization”,
Spatial Information Theory, LNCS 5756, Springer, 2009
experiment
percentages of correct change detection, localization &
description of visual variables used to convey 2D maps
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Visual design
Remark:
some users have trouble in recognizing
certain visual variables
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detect all letters placed in the right
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detect all letters placed in the right
we must perceive only the position
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detect all green letters
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detect all green letters
we are using hue as a visual variable
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detect all N letters
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detect all N letters (shape)
interferences: multiple visual variables
155. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
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Visual design
visual variables and their properties:
orderable, associative, selective, comparable, cardinality
Carrie Demmans Epp & Susan Bull, “Uncertainty Representation in Visualizations
of Learning Analytics for Learners: Current Approaches and Opportunities”,
IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, 2015
www.computer.org/csdl/trans/lt/2015/03/07058341.html
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Visual design
Modularity (grouping) could be achieved by considering
the Gelstalt principles of perception
using visual perception, the mind creates
the entire picture (Gelstalt – unified whole)
from existing fragments
157. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
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www.interaction-design.org/encyclopedia/data_visualization_for_human_perception.html
also, read D. Todorovic, “Gestalt principles” (2008):
www.scholarpedia.org/article/Gestalt_principles
158. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
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Several real life examples:
C. Bonner, “Using Gestalt Principles
for Natural Interactions” (2016)
robots.thoughtbot.com/gestalt-principles
L. Martins, “The impact of Cultural Context
on the Perception of Sound and Musical Language” (2013)
tinyurl.com/jdafsny
T. Werner et al., “Saliency-Guided Object Candidates
Based on Gestalt Principles” (2015)
www.researchgate.net/publication/279538230_Saliency-
Guided_Object_Candidates_Based_on_Gestalt_Principles
159. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
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“Conclusion”
IA HCI design patterns visual design
160. Master on Software Engineering :: Human-Computer Interaction
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next lecture:
from design patterns to flow state