DDQ TUE 2020-09-29 @ 12:45 PM

16. Fundamental Design Principles¶

16.1. Agenda¶

Duration: \(\sim\) 5-10 minutes

Fig. 16.1 The Seven Stages of Action as Design Aids [Book:2].¶

Norman’s Principles of Good Design

According to Don Norman [Book:2], the Seven Stages of Action lead to the following principles of good design:

Discoverability.

It is possible to determine what actions are possible and the current state of the device.
Feedback.

There is full and continuous information about the results of actions and the current state of the product or service. After an action has been executed, it is easy to determine the new state.
Conceptual Model.

The design projects all the information needed to create a good conceptual mode of the system, leading to understanding and a feeling of control. The conceptual model enhances both discoverability and evaluation of results.
Affordances.

The proper affordances exist to make the desired actions possible.
Signifiers.

Effective use of signifiers ensures discoverability and that the feedback is well communicated and intelligible.
Mappings.

The relationship between controls and their actions follows the principles of good mapping, enhanced as much as possible through spatial layout and temporal contiguity.
Constraints.

Providing physical, logical, semantic, and cultural constraints guides actions and eases interpretation.

Food for Thought

Having trouble using something? Ask yourself where the problem lies. At which of the Seven Stages of Action does it fail? Which of Norman’s Principles of Good Design are deficient?

Duration: \(\sim\) 15-20 minutes

Quick introductions, if needed.
As a group, respond to the following in a followup discussion here.
1. Pick and provide a short description of an computer interface that one or more members of the group could not immediately figure out or had trouble using. If possible, provide a screenshot.
2. Which of the seven principles of good design are deficient in the interface you picked and why?
3. Make sure all group / room members are listed in your followup discussion post.
Pick a group representative. This person will briefly share your group’s conceptual model to the class. No pressure, seriously!
Respond to other followup discussions until the breakout rooms end.