Week 3 Page #7: Interface Design -- Final Tips

Some Guidelines for Successful Interface Design

Using a Metaphor 

Most interfaces are instrumental in establishing an "atmosphere" or "mood" for a site. It often helps to come up with a theme or visual metaphor that sets the stage for the entire site and its design.

A metaphor is a familiar environment recreated in the online world that helps a user feel immediately comfortable and encourages interaction. It needs to be simple, logical and familiar to the target audience. An obvious example of this might be a site for kids that features a familiar schoolroom with clickable objects. 

Another simple version of a metaphor might be navigation buttons that look like tabs.

User Testing:

So how do you establish whether you have designed an appropriate interface for your audience? One tried and true method is user testing. Unleash a few "guinea pigs" on your site or app and see if they interact successfully with it. If you find yourself having to explain where things are or what to click, you have a problem!

One final point about audiences... as you design your interface, don't neglect to consider how people with disabilities or color blindness will interact with it.

Different Web Examples of Interface

Here are a variety of different approaches to interface. Many tread a fine line between innovation and easy access.

This site demonstrates a very strong use of metaphor. Is this appealing or difficult to interact with or both perhaps?!!

• https://www.ifly50.com/en_us/ Links to an external site.

Does the site below create a strong atmosphere with its interface?
Think about whether this makes you feel comfortable and at ease exploring the site or whether you can't figure out what to do next. A good interface should almost be transparent and should encourage an easy interaction with the content. (Sorry... this is an archived version of the site.)

• http://eastafricanbakery.com/ Links to an external site.

How successful is the interface metaphor in the next site? Do you find it confusing or difficult to follow? (The illustrations at this site are very creative -- definitely worth a visit.)

• http://www.jonathanyuen.com/_main.html Links to an external site.

Now try this one! I find it very awkward. This interface makes me want to leave the site immediately!! (Note: this is now an archived version... they removed the weird pointer hand.)

• http://davidstarkdesign.com/ Links to an external site.

Establishing an atmosphere is one aspect of interface design, but keeping it simple is the main priority. Sometimes designers become so involved in their "designs" that they forget to look at them from the user's point of view. Rotating menus and unusual cursors can confuse a user. What do you think about these designs? Are they intuitive or do they require too much work on the user's part? Do they even tell the user what to do?!! (Sorry... these are both archived versions of the sites.)

• http://saltfilms.com.sg/ Links to an external site.
• http://themarketing-collective.com/ Links to an external site.
  Is it clear what you have to do to navigate this design?

When do you think it's OK to have innovative interfaces? Post your comments on this week's discussion forum!