Download The Essential Guide to User Interface Design

The Essential Guide to User Interface Design - 3rd
Edition
Wilbert O. Galitz
Text Objectives
The Essential Guide to User Interface Design’s first objective is to present the important
practical guidelines for good interface and screen design. It is intended as a ready
reference source for all graphical and Web systems. The guidelines reflect a mix of
human behavior, science, and art, and are organized within the context of the interface
design process. The specific objectives are to enable the reader to do the following:
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Understand the many considerations that must be applied to the interface and
screen design process.
Understand the rationale and rules for an effective interface design methodology.
Identify the components of graphical and Web interfaces and screens, including
windows, menus, and controls.
Design and organize graphical screens and Web pages to encourage the fastest
and most accurate comprehension and execution of screen features.
Choose screen colors and design screen icons and graphics.
Perform the user interface design process, including interface development and
testing.
The book’s other objective is to provide materials that, when applied, will allow users to
become more productive—and more satisfied—using the interfaces that are produced.
Text Organization
This text is composed of two parts. Part 1 provides an introduction to the humancomputer interface. Chapter 1 examines what an interface is, its importance, and its
history. Chapter 2 reviews the two dominant user interfaces today: the graphical user
interface (GUI) and the World Wide Web (WWW or Web). GUI interfaces are looked at
in terms of their components, characteristics, and advantages over the older text-based
systems. Web interfaces are compared to both GUI interfaces and conventional printed
documents. The differing characteristics of three distinct Web environments, the Internet,
intranet, and extranet are also summarized. The second chapter concludes with a
statement of the basic underlying principles for interface design.
Part 2 presents an extensive series of guidelines for the interface design process. It is
organized in the order of the development steps typically followed in creating a graphical
system’s or Web site’s screens and pages. The 14 steps presented are:
Step 1: Know Your User or Client. You must have an understanding of the most important
system or Web site component: the user or client. Understanding people and what
they do is a critical and often difficult and undervalued process. The first step in the
design process involves identifying people’s innate and learned characteristics, and
understanding how they affect design.
Step 2: Understand the Business Function. A system or Web site must achieve the business
objectives for which it is designed. To do so requires an understanding of the goals of
the system and the functions and tasks performed. Determining basic business
functions, describing user activities through task analysis, understanding the user’s
mental model, and developing a conceptual model of the system accomplish this. The
system’s conceptual model must fit the user’s view of the tasks to be performed. Step
2 also addresses the establishment of design standards or style guides, and the
definition of training and documentation needs.
Step 3: Understand the Principles of Good Interface and Screen Design. A well-designed
screen must reflect the needs and capabilities of its users, be developed within the
physical constraints imposed by the hardware on which it is displayed, and
effectively utilize the capabilities of its controlling software. Step 3 involves
understanding the capabilities of, and limitations imposed by people, hardware, and
software in designing screens and Web pages. It presents an enormous number of
general design guidelines for organizing and presenting information to people.
Step 4: Develop System Menus and Navigation Schemes. Graphical systems and Web sites
are heavily menu-oriented. Menus are used to designate commands, properties that
apply to an object, documents, and windows. To accomplish these goals, a variety of
menu styles are available to choose from. Step 4 involves understanding how menus
are used, and selecting the proper kinds for specific tasks. The principles of menu
design are described, and the purpose and proper usage of various menu types are
detailed. In this step guidelines for Web site navigation are also presented. Topics
addressed include the elements of Web navigation such as links, navigation aids, and
search facilities.
Step 5: Select the Proper Kinds of Windows. Graphical screen design consists of a series of
windows. Step 5 involves understanding how windows are used and selecting the
proper kinds for the tasks. The elements of windows are described, and the purpose
and proper usage of various types of windows are detailed. The step concludes with a
discussion of Web browsers,
Step 6: Select the Proper Interaction Devices. In addition to the keyboard, a system or Web
site might offer the user a mouse, trackball, joystick, graphic tablet, touch screen,
light pen, or some other similar device. Step 6 consists of identifying the
characteristics and capabilities of these various control mechanisms and providing
the proper ones for users and their tasks.
Step 7: Choose the Proper Screen-Based Controls. The designer is presented with an array
of controls to choose from. Selecting the right one for the user and the task is often
difficult. But, as with interaction devices, making the right choice is critical to system
success. A proper fit between user and control will lead to fast, accurate performance.
A poor fit will result in lower productivity, more errors, and often user
dissatisfaction. Step 7 consists of identifying the characteristics and capabilities of
these various screen-based controls and guidelines for providing the proper ones for
users and their tasks.
Step 8: Write Clear Text and Messages. Creating text and messages in a form the user
wants and understands is absolutely necessary for system acceptance and success.
Rules for writing text and messages for systems and Web sites are presented.
Step 9: Provide Effective Feedback, Guidance, and Assistance. Effective feedback,
guidance, and assistance are also necessary elements of good design. This step
presents the guidelines for presenting to the user feedback concerning the system and
its processing status. It also describes the system response times necessary to meet
user needs. Step 9 also describes the kinds of guidance and assistance that should be
included in a system, and presents important design guidelines for the various kinds.
Step 10: Provide Effective Internationalization and Accessibility. People from different
cultures and people who speak different languages may use graphical systems and
Web sites. Guidelines for accommodating different cultures and languages in a
design are presented. People with disabilities may also be users. Design
considerations for these kinds of users are also described.
Step 11: Create Meaningful Graphics, Icons, and Images. Graphics, including icons and
images, are an integral part of design. Design guidelines for various types of graphics
are presented. Icons are described, including a discussion of what kinds of icons
exist, what influences their usability, and how they should be designed so they are
meaningful and recognizable. The elements of multimedia presentation are also
reviewed. Guidelines presented include those for images, photographs, videos,
drawings, animation, and audition.
Step 12: Choose the Proper Colors. Color, if used properly, can emphasize the logical
organization of a screen, facilitate the discrimination of screen components,
accentuate differences, and make displays more interesting. If used improperly, color
can be distracting and cause visual fatigue, impairing a system’s usability. Step 12
involves understanding color and how to use it effectively on textual and statistical
graphics screens, and in Web sites.
Step 13: Organize and Layout Windows and Pages. After determining all the components
of a screen or page, the screen or page must be organized and its elements presented
clearly and meaningfully. Proper presentation and organization encourages the quick
and accurate comprehension of information and the fastest possible execution of user
tasks. Step 13 addresses the rules for laying out all screen elements and controls in
the most effective manner possible.
Step 14: Test, Test, and Retest. A host of factors must be considered in design and
numerous trade-offs will have been made. Indeed, the design of some parts of the
system may be based on skimpy data and simply reflect the most educated guess
possible. Also, the implications for some design decisions may not be fully appreciated until the results can be seen. Waiting until after a system has been
implemented to uncover any deficiencies and make any design changes can be
aggravating, costly, and time-consuming. To minimize these kinds of problems,
interfaces and screens must be continually tested and refined as development
proceeds. Step 14 reviews the kinds of tests that can be performed, and discusses
creating, evaluating, and modifying prototypes in an iterative manner. It also reviews
final system testing and ongoing evaluations of working systems.
Although Part 2 is organized into what appear to be non-overlapping linear tasks, this
does not mean to imply that the actual design process will fall into such neat categories—
one step finishing before the next step starts. In reality, some steps will run concurrently
or overlap, and design iterations will cause occasional movements backward as well as
forward. If any of these steps are omitted, or carelessly performed, a product’s foundation
will be flawed. A flawed foundation is difficult to correct afterward.
This book is both a reference book and a textbook. A set of related bulleted listings of
guidelines, many with illustrative examples, are first presented in checklist form. Each
checklist is then followed by more detailed explanatory text providing necessary rationale
and any research upon which they are based. The reader can use the narrative to gain an
understanding of the reasoning behind the guidelines and use the bulleted listings as a
checklist for design.
Scattered throughout the book are many illustrations of design, both good and bad. These
illustrations have been made as generic as possible, without intending to reflect any one
graphical product or system. In view of the ever-changing interface landscape, this seems
the most practical approach. The screen examples, however, were created using
Microsoft’s Visual Basic, so an illustrative bias will exist in this direction.
Research citations are confined to those in the last decade or so. Older citations have been
included, however, when they are extremely relevant to a guideline or a guideline’s
discussion. Finally, also sprinkled throughout the book are a collection of design myths to
be discounted and maximums to be adhered to.
Text Outline
An outline of the major text topics, by chapter and step, will be found below.
Learning Objectives
The learning objectives, by chapter and step, will be found below.
Test Bank
The Test Bank contains 500 questions distributed as follows:
Short Answer:
True/False:
Multiple Choice:
166
167
167
500
Most chapters contain ten questions of each style. Three short chapters do contain fewer
in number, however, and one very long chapter contains about 20 questions of each style.
Answers for all questions are also included.
Design Problems
Several design problems, with solutions, are found in the exercise included on the
companion Web site. These problems are located in Steps 3, 4, 7, and 13.
PowerPoint Slides
A series of PowerPoint slides (totaling 676) have been created for each chapter and step
in the text. They have been designed around the text and incorporate key topics, points,
and guidelines.
Part One
The User Interface—An Introduction and Overview
Chapter 1
The Importance of the User Interface
Outline
Defining the User Interface
The Importance of Good Design
The Benefits of Good Design
A Brief History of the Human-Computer Interface
Introduction of the Graphical User Interface
The Blossoming of the World Wide Web
A Brief History of Screen Design
What’s Next?
Objectives
After completion of Chapter 1 the student should be able to:
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Define and describe the user interface.
Explain why good design is important.
Describe the benefits of good design.
Describe a brief history of the human-computer interface.
Describe a brief history of the graphical user interface.
Describe a brief history of the World Wide Web.
PowerPoint Slides
Slides:
1
Test Bank
Short Answer:
True/False:
Multiple Choice:
4
4
3
Chapter 2
Characteristics of Graphical and Web User Interfaces
Outline
Interaction Styles
The Graphical User Interface
The Concept of Direct Manipulation
Graphical Systems: Advantages and Disadvantages
Characteristics of the Graphical User Interface
The Web User Interface
The Popularity of the Web
Characteristics of a Web Interface
GUI versus Web Page Design
Printed page versus Web Page Design
The Merging of Graphical Business Systems and the Web
Characteristics of an Intranet versus the Internet
Extranets
Web Page versus Application Design
Principles of User Interface Design
Principles for the Xerox STAR
General Design Principles
What’s Next?
Objectives
After completion of Chapter 2 the student should be able to:
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Describe the different interaction styles.
Explain how the graphical user interface revolutionized design.
Explain the concept of direct manipulation.
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of a graphical system.
Describe the characteristics of a graphical user interface.
Describe the characteristics of the Web user interface.
Explain the difference between GUI and Web page design.
Explain the difference between printed page and Web page design.
Explain how graphical business systems and the Web have merged.
Explain the differences between an intranet and the Internet.
Describe an extranet.
Explain the difference between Web page and Web application design.
Describe the design principles for the Xerox STAR.
Define and describe the general principles of interface design.
PowerPoint Slides
Slides:
37
Test Bank
Short Answer:
True/False:
Multiple Choice:
10
10
10
Part Two
The User Interface Design Process
Outline
Obstacles and Pitfalls in the Development Path
Designing for People: The Seven Commandments
Usability
Usability Assessment in the Design Process
Common Usability Problems
Some Practical Measures of Usability
Some Objective Measures of Usability
Objectives
After completion of this Part 2 Introduction the student should be able to:
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Describe the obstacles and pitfalls in the system development path.
Describe the seven Commandments for designing for people.
Explain the concept of usability.
Describe the common system usability problems.
Describe some practical measures of usability.
Describe some objective measures of usability.
PowerPoint Slides
Slides:
10
Test Bank
Short Answer:
True/False:
Multiple Choice:
4
4
3
Step 1
Know Your User or Client
Outline
Understanding How People Interact with Computers
The Human Action Cycle
Why People Have Trouble with Computers
Responses to Poor Design
People and Their Tasks
Important Human Characteristics in Design
Human Considerations in the Design of Business Systems
The User’s Knowledge and Experience
The User’s Tasks and Needs
The User’s Psychological Characteristics
The User’s Physical Characteristics
Human Interaction Speeds
Performance versus Preference
Methods for Gaining an Understanding of Users
Objectives
After completion of Step 1 the student should be able to:
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Describe how people interact with computers.
Explain the human action cycle.
List the reasons why people have trouble with computers.
Describe some typical user responses to poor design.
Describe the human characteristics important in the design process.
Describe what aspects of the user’s level of knowledge and experience are important in
design.
Describe what aspects of the user’s tasks and needs are important in design.
Describe what psychological characteristics of the user are important in design.
Describe what physical characteristics of the user are important in design.
Explain the roles user performance and preference measures play in design.
Describe some methods for gaining understanding of users.
PowerPoint Slides
Slides:
40
Test Bank
Short Answer:
True/False:
Multiple Choice:
10
10
10
Step 2
Understand the Business Function
Outline
Business Definition and Requirements Analysis
Information Collection Techniques
Direct Methods
Indirect Methods
Defining the Domain
Considering the Environment
Possible Problems in Requirements Collection
Determining Basic Business Functions
Understanding the User’s Work
Developing Conceptual Models
The User’s New Mental Model
Design Standards or Style Guides
System Training and Documentation Needs
Objectives
After completion of Step 2 the student should be able to:
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Perform a business definition and requirements analysis.
Describe the requirements information collection techniques.
Explain the difference between direct and indirect collection methods.
Explain a domain.
Explain why a system’s usage environment is important in design.
Describe what aspects of the environment are important.
Describe the possible problems that may be encountered in requirements data collection.
Explain why understanding the user’s work is important.
Describe a mental model.
Describe a task analysis.
Describe a conceptual model.
Define an object
Define a metaphor.
Explain why design standards or style guides are important in design.
Identify the governmental standards impacting design.
List the design guidelines for a customized style guide.
Explain why good system training and documentation are necessary.
PowerPoint Slides
Slides:
18
Test Bank
Short Answer:
True/False:
Multiple Choice:
10
10
10
Step 3
Understand the Principles of Good Interface and Screen Design
Outline
Human Considerations in Interface and Screen Design
How to Discourage the User
What Users Want
What Users Do
Interface Design Goals
The Test for a Good Design
Screen and Web Page Meaning and Purpose
Consistency
Starting Point
Ordering of Data and Content
Organizing Elements Clearly and Meaningfully
Navigation and Flow
Visually Pleasing Composition
Distinctiveness
Focus and Emphasis
Conveying Depth of Levels or a Three-Dimensional Appearance
Presenting Information Simply and Meaningfully
Typography
Application and Page Size
Application Screen Elements
Data Output
Organization and Structure Guidelines
The Web—Web sites and Web Pages
Page scanning
Page writing
Presenting information
Homepage
Browsing and searching
Intranet Design Guidelines
Extranet Design Guidelines
Small Screens
Weblogs
Statistical Graphics
Uses
Components
Types
Flow Charts
Technological Considerations in Interface Design
Graphical Systems
Web Systems
Objectives
After completion of Step 3 the student should be able to:
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Describe the characteristics of well-designed interface and screen.
Describe the design factors that lead to user problems and discouragement.
Explain what people want in a well-designed screen.
Explain what people do in interacting with a computer system.
Describe the design goals to make an interface easy and pleasant to use.
Describe the “Test for a Good Design.”
Explain the difference between the concepts of “signal” and “noise.”
Explain how consistency is achieved in design.
Describe how people scan screens and Web pages.
Describe how screen data or content should be organized.
Describe how screen navigation and flow should proceed.
Describe all the aspects of visually pleasing composition.
Describe the objective measures of screen usability that have been derived.
Describe how effective grouping of screen elements is achieved.
Explain how distinctiveness is achieved in design.
Explain how focus and emphasis is achieved in design.
Explain how depth of levels or a three-dimensional appearance is achieved in design.
Explain how to present information simply and meaningfully
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Describe and explain all the aspects of typography important in design.
Describe the considerations in determining Web application or page size.
List and describe all the screen elements of an application.
Describe how to format and organize lists of data.
Describe the proper keying procedures for large data entry applications.
Describe the guidelines for presenting data output.
Describe the organization and structure guidelines for Information entry and modification
(conversational) screens
Describe the organization and structure guidelines for text entry from a source document
screens.
Describe the organization and structure guidelines for Display/read-only screens.
Describe the dimensions of a Web site.
Describe the Web user interaction styles.
Describe what shapes the Web user’s experience.
Describe the guidelines for making Web pages easy to scan.
Describe the guidelines for the writing of Web pages.
Describe the guidelines for presenting information on Web pages.
Describe the desirable characteristics and content of a Homepage.
Explain the characteristics and differences between “browsing” and “searching.”
Describe the guidelines for search facilities.
Describe the design guidelines for an intranet.
Describe the design guidelines for an extranet.
Describe the design guidelines for small screens.
Describe the design guidelines for Weblogs.
Explain what a statistical graphic is and how it is used.
List the components of a statistical graphic.
List the types of statistical graphics.
Describe the design guidelines for the various types of statistical graphics.
Describe the design guidelines for flow charts.
Describe the technological considerations in interface design.
PowerPoint Slides
Slides:
130
Test Bank
Short Answer:
True/False:
Multiple Choice:
10
10
10
Design Problem
A design problem will be found in the companion Web site.
Step 4
Develop System Menus and Navigation Schemes
Outline
Structures of Menus
Single Menus
Sequential Linear Menus
Simultaneous Menus
Hierarchical or Sequential Menus
Connected Menus
Event-Trapping Menus
Functions of Menus
Content of Menus
Selecting Menu Choices
Web Site Navigation
Web Site Navigation Problems
Web Site Navigation Goals
Web Site Navigation Design
Maintaining a Sense of Place
Kinds of Graphical Menus
Menu Bar
Pull-down Menu
Cascading Menus
Pop-up Menus
Tear-off Menus
Iconic Menus
Pie Menus
Objectives
After completion of Step 4 the student should be able to:
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Explain what a menu is.
Describe the various menu structures.
Describe the functions of menus.
List the four elements that comprise a menu.
Describe the guidelines for formatting menus.
Describe the different kinds of selection support menus.
Describe the guidelines for writing or phrasing menus.
Describe the guidelines for selecting menu choices.
Explain the process of “wayfinding” in navigation of Web sites.
Describe the user problems typically encountered in navigating Web sites.
Describe the user’s goals and needs in Web site navigation.
Describe the aids available to assist Web site navigation.
Describe the design guidelines for site organization and page design.
Describe the components of a Web site navigation system.
Explain the concept of Web page “link.”
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Describe the different kinds of links.
Describe how to present links.
Describe the guidelines for writing link labels.
Explain the methods to allow the user to maintaining a “sense of place” in a Web site.
Describe the proper usage of and design guidelines for Menu Bars.
Describe the proper usage of and design guidelines for Pull-down menus.
Describe the proper usage of and design guidelines for Cascading menus.
Describe the proper usage of and design guidelines for Pop-up menus.
Describe the proper usage of and design guidelines for Tear-off menus.
Describe the proper usage of and design guidelines for Iconic menus.
Describe the proper usage of and design guidelines for Pie menus.
PowerPoint Slides
Slides:
60
Test Bank
Short Answer:
True/False:
Multiple Choice:
10
10
10
Design Problem
A design problem will be found in the companion Web site.
Step 5
Select the Proper Kinds of Windows
Outline
Window Characteristics
The Attraction of Windows
Constraints in Window System Design
Components of a Window
Window Presentation Styles
Types of Windows
Primary Window
Secondary Windows
Dialog Boxes
Property Sheets and Property Inspectors
Message Boxes
Palette Windows
Pop-up Windows
Organizing Window Functions
The Web and the Browser
Objectives
After completion of Step 5 the student should be able to:
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Describe the characteristics of a window.
Describe the uses of windows.
Describe the components of a window.
Describe the window presentation styles.
Describe the types of windows available.
Describe the uses of the various types of windows.
Explain the difference between modal and modeless windows.
Explain the difference between cascading and unfolding windows.
Explain the difference between property sheets and property inspectors.
Explain how to organize window systems.
Describe the proper placement of windows.
Describe the components of a Web browser.
Describe a Web system frame, its proper use, and design guidelines.
Describe the use of pop-up windows.
PowerPoint Slides
Slides:
28
Test Bank
Short Answer:
True/False:
Multiple Choice:
10
10
10
Step 6
Select the Proper Interaction Devices
Outline
Input Devices
Characteristics of Input Devices
Trackball
Joystick
Graphic Tablet or Trackpad
Touch screen
Light pen
Voice
Mouse
Keyboard
Other Input Devices
Selecting the Proper Input Device
Pointer Guidelines
Output Devices
Screens
Speakers
Objectives
After completion of Step 6 the student should be able to:
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Define an input device.
Describe the characteristics of input devices.
Describe a trackball and explain its advantages and disadvantages.
Describe a joystick and explain its advantages and disadvantages.
Describe a graphic tablet or trackpad and explain its advantages and disadvantages.
Describe a touch screen and explain its advantages and disadvantages.
Describe a light pen and explain its advantages and disadvantages.
Describe a mouse and explain its advantages and disadvantages.
Describe a keyboard and explain its advantages and disadvantages.
Describe voice recognition and explain its advantages and disadvantages.
Identify several other input devices now under development or in use.
Explain the research comparing the various input devices.
Describe the guidelines for selecting the proper input device
Describe the guidelines for designing and using pointers.
Define an output device.
Describe the considerations for selecting a monitor or screen.
PowerPoint Slides
Slides:
18
Test Bank
Short Answer:
True/False:
Multiple Choice:
8
8
8
Step 7
Select the Proper Screen-Based Controls
Outline
Operable Controls
Buttons
Text Entry/Read-only Controls
Text Boxes
Selection Controls
Radio Buttons
Check Boxes
Palettes
List Boxes
List View Controls
Drop-down/Pop-up List Boxes
Combination Entry/Selection Controls
Spin Boxes
Combo Boxes
Drop-down/Pop-up Combo Boxes
Other Operable Controls
Slider
Tabs
Date-Picker
Tree View
Scroll Bars
Custom Controls
Presentation Controls
Static Text Fields
Group Boxes
Column Headings
ToolTips
Balloon Tips
Progress Indicators
Sample Box
Scrolling Tickers
Selecting the Proper Controls
Comparison of GUI Controls
Control Selection Criteria
Choosing a Control Form
Objectives
After completion of Step 7 the student should be able to:
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Explain what a screen-based control, or widget, is and its purpose.
Describe the three extremely important principles regarding controls.
Explain the purpose and use of an operable control.
Describe a button and explain its purpose, advantages, disadvantages, proper use, and
design guidelines.
Explain the purpose and use of a text entry/read only control.
Describe a text box and explain its purpose, advantages, disadvantages, proper use, and
design guidelines.
Explain the purpose and use of a selection control.
Describe a radio button and explain its purpose, advantages, disadvantages, proper use,
and design guidelines.
Describe a check box and explain its purpose, advantages, disadvantages, proper use, and
design guidelines.
Describe a palette and explain its purpose, advantages, disadvantages, proper use, and
design guidelines.
Describe a list box and explain its purpose, advantages, disadvantages, proper use, and
design guidelines.
Describe a list view control and explain its purpose, advantages, disadvantages, proper
use, and design guidelines.
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Describe a drop-down/pop-up list box and explain its purpose, advantages,
disadvantages, proper use, and design guidelines.
Explain the purpose and use of a combination entry/selection control.
Describe a spin box and explain its purpose, advantages, disadvantages, proper use, and
design guidelines.
Describe a combo box and explain its purpose, advantages, disadvantages, proper use,
and design guidelines.
Describe a drop-down/pop-up combo box and explain its purpose, advantages,
disadvantages, proper use, and design guidelines.
Describe a slider and explain its purpose, advantages, disadvantages, proper use, and
design guidelines.
Describe a tab control and explain its purpose, advantages, disadvantages, proper use, and
design guidelines.
Describe a date-picker and explain its purpose, advantages, disadvantages, proper use,
and design guidelines.
Describe a tree view control and explain its purpose, advantages, disadvantages, proper
use, and design guidelines.
Describe a scroll bar and explain its purpose, advantages, disadvantages, proper use, and
design guidelines.
Describe a media control and explain its purpose, advantages, disadvantages, proper use,
and design guidelines.
Describe a custom control and explain its purpose, advantages, disadvantages, proper use,
and design guidelines.
Explain the purpose and use of a presentation control.
Describe a static text field and explain its purpose, advantages, disadvantages, proper use,
and design guidelines.
Describe a group box and explain its purpose, advantages, disadvantages, proper use, and
design guidelines.
Describe a column heading and explain its purpose, advantages, disadvantages, proper
use, and design guidelines.
Describe a ToolTip and explain its purpose, advantages, disadvantages, proper use, and
design guidelines.
Describe a balloon tip and explain its purpose, advantages, disadvantages, proper use, and
design guidelines.
Describe a progress indicator and explain its purpose, advantages, disadvantages, proper
use, and design guidelines.
Describe a sample box and explain its purpose, advantages, disadvantages, proper use,
and design guidelines.
Describe a scrolling ticker and explain its purpose, advantages, disadvantages, proper
use, and design guidelines.
Describe the research comparing various entry and selection controls.
Describe the criteria for selecting the proper controls for the user and tasks.
PowerPoint Slides
Slides:
108
Test Bank
Short Answer:
19
True/False:
Multiple Choice:
20
20
Design Problem
A design problem will be found in the companion Web site.
Step 8
Write Clear Text and Messages
Outline
Words, Sentences, Messages, and Text
Readability
Choosing the Proper Words
Writing Sentences and Messages
Kinds of Messages
Presenting and Writing Text
Window Title, Conventions, and Sequence Control Guidance
Content and Text for Web Pages
Words
Page Text
Page Title
Headings and Headlines
Instructions
Error Messages
Objectives
After completion of Step 8 the student should be able to:
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Explain the concept of readability.
Identify the proper words in writing sentences, messages, and text.
Describe the proper construction and tone for sentences and messages.
Describe the kinds and types of screen messages.
Describe proper message box text.
Describe the proper message box controls.
Describe the proper structure and format for presenting and writing text.
Describe the guidelines for window title, conventions, and sequence control guidance.
Describe properly written and presented text for Web page components.
Describe properly written Web page links, headings, instructions, and error messages.
PowerPoint Slides
Slides:
26
Test Bank
Short Answer:
True/False:
10
10
Multiple Choice:
12
Step 9
Provide Effective Feedback and Guidance and Assistance
Outline
Providing the Proper Feedback
Response Time
Dealing with Time Delays
Blinking for Attention
Use of Sound
Guidance and Assistance
Preventing Errors
Problem Management
Providing Guidance and Assistance
Instructions or Prompting
Help Facility
Contextual Help
Task-Oriented Help
Reference Help
Wizards
Hints or Tips
Objectives
After completion of Step 9 the student should be able to:
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Describe acceptable system response times.
Describe acceptable Web page download times.
Explain the guidelines to achieve acceptable Web page downloading times.
Describe how to deal with time delays.
Describe how to attract the user’s attention by blinking.
Explain how to properly use sound at the user interface.
Distinguish the difference between a user slip and a mistake.
Explain how to prevent, detect, and correct user errors.
Describe the user questions useful guidance and assistance must answer.
Explain how users interact with documentation.
Describe when and how to provide user instructions or prompting.
Describe the benefits and potential problems of a Help facility.
Describe the design guidelines for a Help facility.
Define contextual help.
Describe the kinds of contextual help available, including their purpose and design
guidelines.
Describe task-oriented help and its purpose.
Describe the design, presentation, and writing guidelines for task-oriented help.
Describe reference help and its purpose.
Describe the design, presentation, and writing guidelines for reference help.
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Describe a wizard and its purpose.
Describe the design, presentation, and writing guidelines for a wizard.
Describe a hint or tip, its purpose, and its design guidelines.
PowerPoint Slides
Slides:
42
Test Bank
Short Answer:
True/False:
Multiple Choice:
10
10
10
Step 10
Provide Effective Internationalization and Accessibility
Outline
International considerations
Localization
Cultural considerations
Words and Text
Images and Symbols
Color, Sequence, and Functionality
Requirements Determination and Testing
Accessibility
Types of Disabilities
Accessibility Design
Web Page Accessibility Design
Usability for Lower-Literacy People
Usability for Senior Citizens
Objectives
After completion of Step 10 the student should be able to:
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Distinguish between internationalization and localization.
Explain the kinds of potential differences that may exist between cultures.
Explain the words and text design guidelines that are necessary because of user cultural
and language differences.
Explain the images and symbols design guidelines that are necessary because of user
cultural and language differences.
Explain the color, sequence, and functionality design guidelines that are necessary
because of user cultural and language differences.
Explain the requirements determination and testing design guidelines that are necessary
because of user cultural and language differences.
Define accessibility.
List the types of disabilities that may exist in the user population.
Describe the design guidelines necessary for users with a visual disability.
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Describe the design guidelines necessary for users with a hearing disability.
Describe the design guidelines necessary for users with a physical movement disability.
Describe the design guidelines necessary for users with a speech or language disability.
Describe the design guidelines necessary for users with a cognitive disability.
Describe the design guidelines necessary for users with a seizure disorder.
Describe the accessibility design guidelines for Web sites and pages.
Explain the role of the World Wide Web Consortium in accessibility design.
Explain the role of the United States Government Rehabilitation Act, Section 508 in
accessibility design.
Describe the design guidelines for lower-literacy users.
Describe the design guidelines for senior citizen users.
Explain why accessibility documentation and testing is always necessary.
PowerPoint Slides
Slides:
27
Test Bank
Short Answer:
True/False:
Multiple Choice:
10
10
11
Step 11
Create Meaningful Graphics, Icons, and Images
Outline
Icons
Kinds of Icons
Characteristics of Icons
Influences on Icon Usability
Choosing Icons
Choosing Icon Images
Creating Icon Images
Drawing Icon Images
Icon Animation and Audition
The Icon Design Process
Screen Presentation
Multimedia
Graphics
Images
Photographs/Pictures
Video
Diagrams
Drawings
Animation
Audition
Combining Mediums
Objectives
After completion of Step 11 the student should be able to:
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Define an icon.
Describe the kinds or categories into which icons can be classified.
Distinguish between the syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic characteristics of icons.
Describe the factors that influence an icon’s usability.
Describe the general characteristics of a successful icon.
Describe the guidelines for choosing icon images
Describe the guidelines for creating icon images
Describe the guidelines for drawing icon images
Describe the guidelines for icon animation and audition.
Describe the icon design process.
Describe the icon screen presentation guidelines.
Define multimedia.
Explain the proper use of graphics.
Describe the design guidelines for presenting graphical images.
Describe an Image Map and explain its proper use, advantages, disadvantages, and design
guidelines.
Describe the proper use and design guidelines for Photographs or Pictures.
Describe the proper use, disadvantages, and design guidelines for Video.
Describe the proper use, kinds, parts, and design guidelines of Diagrams.
Describe the proper use and design guidelines for Drawings.
Describe the proper use, disadvantages, and design guidelines for Animation.
Describe the proper use, advantages, disadvantages, and design guidelines for Audition.
Describe the design guidelines for Interactive Voice Response.
Describe the design guidelines for combining mediums.
PowerPoint Slides
Slides:
27
Test Bank
Short Answer:
True/False:
Multiple Choice:
10
10
11
Step 12
Choose the Proper Colors
Outline
Color—What Is It?
Color Uses
Color as a Formatting Aid
Color as a Visual Code
Other Color Uses
Possible Problems with Color
High Attention-Getting Capacity
Interference with Use of Other Screens
Varying Sensitivity of the Eye to Different Colors
Color-Viewing Deficiencies
Color Connotations
Cross-Disciplinary and Cross-Cultural Differences
Color—What the Research Shows
Color and Human Vision
Choosing Colors
Choosing Colors for Categories of Information
Colors in Context
Usage
Discrimination and Harmony
Emphasis
Common Meanings
Location
Ordering
Foregrounds and Backgrounds
Three-Dimensional Look
Color Palette, Defaults, and Customization
Text in Color
Consistency
Considerations for People with Color-Viewing Deficiencies
Cultural, Disciplinary, and Accessibility Considerations
Choosing Colors for Textual Graphic Screens
Effective Foreground/Background Combinations
Choose the Background First
Maximum of Four Colors
Choosing Colors for Statistical Graphics Screens
Choosing Colors for Web Pages
Uses of Color to Avoid
Objectives
After completion of Step 12 the student should be able to:
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Explain how color is used properly and improperly.
Define what color is and color’s components.
Describe the proper uses of color.
Describe possible problems when working with color.
Explain the impact of learned color connotations.
Explain the impact of disciplinary and cultural differences.
Describe the research results for using color.
Explain how the physiology of the eye impacts the perception of color.
Describe the considerations in choosing effective colors for display on screens.
Describe the impact of colored text on screens.
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Describe the considerations for people with color-viewing deficiencies
Describe effective foreground and background combinations.
Describe the guidelines for choosing the proper colors for textual graphic screens.
Describe the guidelines for choosing the proper colors for statistical graphics screens.
Describe the guidelines for choosing the proper color for Web screen text and images.
Describe the uses of color that should be avoided.
PowerPoint Slides
Slides:
35
Test Bank
Short Answer:
True/False:
Multiple Choice:
10
10
10
Step 13
Organize and Layout Windows and Pages
Outline
Organizing and Laying Out Screens
General Guidelines
Organization Guidelines
Control Navigation
Window Guidelines
Web Page Guidelines
Objectives
After completion of Step 13 the student should be able to:
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Summarize the general guidelines for organizing and laying out screens.
Summarize the general guidelines for creating groupings of information.
Summarize the general guidelines for aligning and balancing screen elements.
Summarize the general guidelines for control navigation.
Summarize the general guidelines for presenting windows.
Summarize the general guidelines for Web page layout.
Summarize the general guidelines for Web site navigation.
Describe the general elements that may be included on Web pages.
PowerPoint Slides
Slides:
25
Test Bank
Short Answer:
True/False:
Multiple Choice:
10
11
10
Design Problem
A design problem will be found in the companion Web site.
Step 14
Test, Test, and Retest
Outline
Usability
The Purpose of Usability Testing
The Importance of Usability Testing
Scope of Testing
Prototypes
Hand Sketches and Scenarios
Interactive Paper Prototypes
Programmed Facades
Prototype-Oriented Languages
Comparisons of Prototypes
Kinds of Tests
Guidelines and Standards Review
Heuristic Evaluation
Cognitive Walkthroughs
Think-Aloud Evaluations
Usability Test
Classic Experiments
Focus Groups
Choosing a Testing Method
Developing and Conducting a Test
The Test Plan
Test Conduct and Data Collection
Analyze, Modify, and Retest
Evaluate the Working System
Objectives
After completion of Step 14 the student should be able to:
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Explain the purpose and scope of usability testing.
Explain the importance of usability testing.
Describe the scope of testing and the kinds of test that may be performed.
Define a prototype.
Distinguish between low-and high-fidelity prototypes.
Describe the types of prototypes that may be constructed, and their advantages and
disadvantages.
Describe the research comparing various types of prototypes.
Provide a definition of “test.”
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Describe the kinds of tests or evaluations that may be performed, and their advantages,
disadvantages, and conduct guidelines.
Describe the heuristic evaluation process.
Describe the heuristic evaluation effectiveness.
Explain how to choose the proper testing method.
Describe the research comparing concurrent versus retrospective user comments in a test.
Explain an automated evaluation method.
Describe the steps in creating a Test Plan.
Explain why a pilot test is always necessary.
Describe the considerations and guidelines for choosing test participants.
Describe the kinds of locations where a test may be conducted.
Describe the guidelines for conducting a usability test.
Explain why retesting is usually necessary.
Explain why evaluating the working system is necessary.
Describe how information concerning a working system may be collected.
PowerPoint Slides
Slides:
49
Test Bank
Short Answer:
True/False:
Multiple Choice:
10
10
10
Author
Wilbert (Bill) O. Galitz is an internationally respected consultant, author, and instructor
with a long and illustrious career in human factors and user-interface design. For many
years he has consulted, lectured, written about, and conducted seminars and workshops
on these topics worldwide. Now the author of eleven books, his first book, Human
Factors in Office Automation, published in 1980, was critically acclaimed internationally.
This book was the first to address the entire range of human factors issues involved in
business information systems. As a result, he was awarded the Administrative
Management Society’s Olsten Award. Other books have included User-Interface Screen
Design and It’s Time to Clean Your Windows. He has long been recognized as a world
authority on the topic of screen design.
Bill’s career now spans more than 45 years in information systems and he has been
witness to the amazing transformation of technology over this time span. His career
began in 1961 with the System Development Corporation where he was a training
consultant for the SAGE North American Air Defense System. SAGE was the first largescale display-based system in the world. Before forming his own consulting company in
1981, he worked for CNA Insurance and the Insurance Company of North America (now
CIGNA) where he designed the user interfaces and developed screen and interface design
standards for a variety of business information systems. His work experience also
includes an appointment at South Africa’s National Institute for Personnel Research, and
a number of years with UNIVAC (now UNISYS). At UNIVAC he performed the human
engineering of the company’s first commercial display terminal, and completed a
pioneering study on the operational aspects of large-scale computer systems.
A native of Chicago, Bill possesses a B.A. in Psychology from Lake Forest College in
Illinois and an M.S. in Industrial Psychology from Iowa State University. He currently
resides in Surprise, Arizona.