Design Principles: Perception Bias and Gestalt Laws

Perception Bias

• Perception bias is how prejudices, beliefs, and experiences shape information interpretation.
• Users may see what they expect or filter information they don't agree with.
• Designers should avoid assumptions to create fair interfaces.

Selective Attention

• Selective attention is focusing on certain aspects while ignoring others.
• Users prioritize important elements like headlines on webpages.
• Designers use this to emphasize crucial content and reduce clutter.

Gestalt Laws

• Gestalt laws explain visual information organization as patterns.
• Proximity: Objects near each other are related.
• Similarity: Similar objects group together.
• Continuity: Lines or patterns perceived as continuous, even if interrupted.
• Closure: Filling in missing parts of a shape.
• Figure-Ground: Separating objects from backgrounds.
• Designers use these principles to create clear and intuitive layouts.

Visual Perception

• Visual perception is how brains process visual stimuli (light, color, shapes).
• Design uses visual cues (contrast, alignment) to guide attention and make interfaces easier.

Structures

• Structures refer to how information is arranged visually.
• Elements positioned to create order and clarity are part of structure.
• Well-structured content helps users find and process information.

Colors

• Colors influence user perception and interaction with designs.
• Colors can express emotions, highlight key elements, and guide users.
• Designers should consider color contrast, accessibility, and cultural context.

Peripheral Perception

• Peripheral perception is noticing things outside the direct line of sight.
• Designers should position key elements where users are likely to notice them without distraction (e.g., sidebars, footers).

Information Scanning

• Information scanning is how users scan pages to find information.
• Users often search for key terms, headings, or visual cues (icons, buttons).
• Proper content structuring ensures easy information location.

Design Guidelines

• Design guidelines are recommendations for effective interfaces based on research and best practices.
• Guidelines include consistency, clarity, feedback, and affordance.

Memory

• Memory is how we encode, store, and recall information.
• Short-term memory: Temporary storage (seconds or minutes), limited capacity.
• Long-term memory: Permanent storage, higher capacity.

Attention

• Attention is the ability to focus mental resources on specific tasks.
• Designers use visual hierarchy (e.g., larger fonts, bold colors) to guide user attention.

Learning

• Learning is how people acquire and process information.
• Onboarding and clear instructions are helpful for new users of a system.
• Designers use consistent design patterns to improve user learning.

Task-Based Design

• Task-based design focuses on supporting user tasks effectively.
• The design is focused on user goals, efficiency, and clear feedback.

Time

• Time is a crucial factor in user experience.
• Designers should reduce load times and confusion for better user experience.

History of Speech Technology

• Speech technology has evolved from simple to complex systems.
• Systems now understand and respond to various speech patterns.

How Voice Interfaces Work

• A Voice Interface (VI) converts spoken input into usable data.
• The process involves input, speech recognition, NLP, and output.

Speech Features

• Speech features include pitch, tone, speed, volume, and accents influencing interpretation.

Natural Language Processing (NLP)

• NLP is the ability of machines to understand and respond naturally to human language.
• NLP involves tasks like speech recognition, syntax analysis, semantic analysis, and context understanding.

VI Applications

• Voice interfaces (VI) support numerous applications.
• Examples include virtual assistants, voice-activated controls, transcription, and customer service.

UX Design Principles for VI

• Key UX principles for VIs include clarity, simplicity, feedback, and context awareness.

Emotion-Aware VI

• Emotion-aware VIs detect and respond to user emotions based on tone and speech patterns.

Mixed Reality (MR)

• Mixed reality (MR) is a blend of physical and virtual experiences.

Characteristics of MR Systems

• MR systems combine real and virtual elements.

Immersion

• Immersion is the sense of being present in an experience.
• Visual and auditory immersion enhances realism and presence.

Extent of World Knowledge

• Systems need knowledge of the real world for seamless MR interactions.

Coherence

• Coherence ensures virtual world elements blend logically within the real world.

Presence/Co-presence

• Presence is the feeling of being in a virtual environment.
• Co-presence is the sense of interaction with other people or elements.

Types of Mixed Reality

• Augmented Reality (AR) enhances reality with added elements.
• Augmented Virtuality (AV) adds virtual elements and some real elements
• True Mixed Reality (MR) integrates virtual and real environments seamlessly.

Movement

• Movement can be an input for interfaces through physical gestures.
• Examples include full-body inputs, motion capture systems, and optical motion capture.

Optical Motion Capture

• Optical motion capture systems use cameras to track markers on the body.

Pattern Projection Cameras

• Pattern projection cameras project patterns to track body movements.

Hand Tracking (Project Soli)

• Hand tracking systems use radar to detect and interpret hand movements.

Human Body as an Input Device

• The human body itself can be used as an input device through various methods.

Input Devices: Properties, Language

• Input devices translate human actions into digital commands.
• Properties include accuracy, response time, range, and resolution.
• Different "languages" like gestures, voice, or eye movements can interact with systems.

Office Automation

• Office automation streamlines office tasks through computers and software.

Groupware

• Groupware supports collaborative work through shared tools and communication.

Articulation Work

• Articulation work involves coordinating tasks, handling conflicts, and making changes to ensure smooth collaboration.

Ecologies of Tools

• Ecologies of tools help understand how different tools interact for collaboration.

Awareness

• Awareness in CSCW focuses on keeping track of tasks, availability, and shared understanding within a project.