User interaction and user interface design

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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. (Remedy May 2077, dead link)
  • User interface design is the overall process of designing how a user will be able to interact with a system/site. (the usability company, May 2007, dead link)
  • 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, (retrieved Jan 2011)
  • 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. Philipps and Chaparro (2009), based on experimental research, argue that “An attractive homepage entices users to view more of the site and creates feelings of interest and initial satisfaction. If the homepage is unattractive, users do not appear to be interested, nor do they desire more interaction with the site. Designers must develop a homepage that not only attracts user’ attention but also engages them. This research suggests that an attractive site is more likely to pull in users than an unattractive site regardless of how well it is designed from a usability standpoint. An unattractive site, despite high usability, does not attract user interest and maintains low satisfaction.”.

See also: web prototyping software, web wireframe and usability

Rules from the trenches

We shall quote a few simple sets of rules that can be found on websites that specialize in human computer interaction (human factors), user interface design, web design etc.

Get inspiration from games

Noah Schaffer, in their company's UI Design Newsletter (April, 2010), suggest, after reviewing some desing principles of computers games provides the following overall checklist:

  • Does the user have a sense of presence in the interface?
  • Are your goals clear, challenging, and surmountable?
  • Do you provide instant, gratifying feedback?
  • Do you leave room for failure?
  • Are there opportunities to explore and play?
  • Do people feel like they take something away from your interface?
  • Have you given people the opportunity to interact with other people?

Links

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

Introductions
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
Web sites with many resources / articles
Various
Examples
  • [1] (2010) by Scratch

References

  • Phillips, C. and Chaparro, B.S. 2009. Visual Appeal vs. Usability: Which One Influences User Perceptions of a Website More? SURL: Software Usability Research Laboratory, Wichita State University. Usability News, 11 (2). HTML/PDF
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