User interaction and user interface design

Draft

Definitions

User interface design and user interaction design are two closely related disciplines. One focuses on the design of the visual interface, the other more on the design of the global interaction behavior of the system.

In other words, user interface is how the user faces the system and how the system faces the user. user interaction is how the user acts on the system and how the systems acts on the user. Difference between UI and UX, retrieved 19:41, 25 January 2011 (CET)).

Definitions for user interface design

• User Interface design is the design of the system or interface with which a user has direct contact and with which they interact to conduct activities. [1]

• User interface design is the overall process of designing how a user will be able to interact with a system/site. [2]

• User Interface Design refers to the aspects of hardware or software which can be seen (or heard or otherwise perceived) by the human user, and the commands and mechanisms the user uses to control its operation and input data. (based on The Dictionary of Computing). Usernomics.com

• User interface design aims to enhance the visual, usability and technological qualities of an interface. It adds to the satisfaction of the person using a product or a service. Use design (retrieved Jan 2011).

Definitions for user interaction design

Often user interface design is used as a synonym of user interaction design. Other see a slight difference. E.g. “Interaction design (IxD) is the branch of user experience design that illuminates the relationship between people and the machines they use. While interaction design has a firm foundation in the theory, practice, and methodology of traditional user interface design, its focus is on defining the complex dialogues that occur between people and interactive devices of many types-from computers to mobile communications devices to appliances.” (WordiQ.com, retrieved Jan 2011.

• Interaction design aims to define and facilitate interaction between human beings by means of a product or a service. It focuses on the possibilities to create and encourage behavior facilitating an exchange between people. Use design (retrieved Jan 2011).

Luke Wroblesky (retrieved Jan 2011) quotes the Interaction Design Association's (IxDA) definition:

• Interaction design defines the structure and behaviors of interactive products and services, and user interactions with those products and services.
• Good interaction design effectively communicates a system’s interactivity and functionality, defines behaviors that communicate a system’s responses to user interactions, reveals both simple and complex workflows, informs users about system state changes, and prevents user error.
• Interaction design is grounded in an understanding of real users (goals, tasks, experiences, needs, and wants) and balances these needs with business goals and technological capabilities.

User experience

User experience can be defined as what impact's on the user's perception of something, i.e. it relates to more subjective and emotional aspects.

See also: web prototyping software, web wireframe and usability

Links

See also other articles in the categories Design methodologies and Web authoring

Introductions

• Usability, User Interface Design, and HCI Bibliography V2.3 by Chauncey E. Wilson (updated April 2003 when retrieved 18:22, 2 May 2007 (MEST)).
• Introducing Interaction Design, a 12-part series about interaction design for web applications started on 2002/11/11 by Bob Baxley.
• What is Interaction Design and What Does It Mean to Information Designers? by Craig Marion, 1999.
• First Principles of Interaction Design. Ask TOG, Bruce Tognazzini, retrieved 19:41, 25 January 2011 (CET).

On-line handbooks

• Fluid Design Handbook is a How-to Guide filled with user-centered design (UCD) techniques you can use to learn from your users and design better user experiences.

Topics

• Three Questions You Shouldn't Ask During User Research By Jared M. Spool, April 2010.
• 11 Principles of Interaction Design explained by Paul Seys, Aug 2010. There is a Slideshare version.
• Design Patterns: Introduction
• HTML Wireframes and Prototypes: All Gain and No Pain by Julie Stanford on 2003/01/06.. See also the related Dreamweaver primer (old, but maybe still useful)
• Website Production Management Techniques (A set of texts at Adobe)
• Playing to win, by Noah Schaffer UI Design Newsletter – April, 2010 Download as PDF

Web sites

• (Good) Essential Interaction Design Essays and Articles and Top Ten Essential Interaction Design Books by Dan Saffer.
• HCI Index. Used to be the academic resource for human-computer interaction. No longer maintained since 2009
• Humanfactors.com. Some free resources, including a bibliography.
• UIE.com, User Interface engineering (includes articles, blogs, etc.)
• Software Design Smorgasbord by Craig Marion. Includes many excellent links grouped into topics, and articles. (Updated Jan 2011 when consulted on Jan 2011).
• A List Apart
• DZine blog
• Adaptive Path Essay Archives
• The IxD library

Various

• How stuff works ... if you don't understand it :)

Examples

• [3] (2010) by Scratch

References

• Jones, Marshall G., & Okey, James R. Interface Design for Computer-based Learning Environments. [Online] Available http://www.hbg.psu.edu/bsed/intro/docs/idguide/, February 21, 1995. HTML