Interaction Design Evaluation Techniques

Evaluation helps determine if an interface meets its intended purpose and goals.

Evaluation should be an ongoing process, not just a final step. It helps catch problems early on in the design process.

Evaluation assesses a system's usability, functionality, and how well it meets user needs.

Experts analyze a system to identify potential problems based on established principles and frameworks.

This evaluation method examines how well users complete tasks in a system by analyzing each step.

Heuristic Evaluation uses established usability principles, such as consistency and clarity, to find usability issues.

This technique uses formal models to predict user interactions and identify potential problems.

Leveraging past research findings and evaluations helps understand user behavior and identify potential challenges.

Controlled experiments are conducted to test hypotheses about user behavior and system performance.

Observational techniques involve observing users actually using the system in their natural environment or a controlled setting.

The user interface should clearly show what's happening, using familiar language and concepts.

Use familiar concepts and metaphors that users already know.

The information should be logically organized, making it easy for users to find things.

Users should be able to undo mistakes or change their minds.

Allow users to go back to the previous state of the system.

Consistency within a single product or family of products.

Consistency with established conventions in an industry or on the web.

Visual elements like icons, images, and colors should be consistent throughout the application.

All elements should have a consistent look and feel across different applications.

The design should be consistent with the overall visual style and branding.

Using familiar patterns and standards for inputting information like dates, phone numbers, or locations instead of creating unique formats.

Elements that remain consistent across different pages of a website, contributing to a unified and predictable user experience.

The benefits of maintaining a consistent design extend beyond aesthetics, including meeting user expectations and reducing learning curves.

Errors that are often caused by experts who make slips due to fatigue, distraction, or minor mistakes in execution.

Errors that occur due to a lack of understanding or incorrect mental model of how a system works.

Presenting information in a way that users can easily recognize and make sense of, reducing demands on memory and cognitive effort.

Images that create a visual context for the user, offering a first impression and setting the tone for the web page or application.

Interactive guides that help users learn how to use a new app by visually demonstrating features and processes.

The ability for an interface to be used effectively by both new users and experienced users through adaptive features and options.

Shortcuts or accelerators that allow users to perform common tasks more efficiently and quickly, improving productivity.

Users should be able to easily understand the current state of the system and what is happening. This includes providing clear feedback and status updates.

Design interfaces to prevent errors from happening in the first place. This involves using appropriate constraints, confirmations, and clear instructions.

Design the interface to match real-world concepts and expectations. This makes it easier for users to learn and understand how to use the system.

Error messages should be clear, informative, and use plain language, offering a solution to the problem without technical jargon.

Provide clear, concise, and accessible help and documentation, even for systems designed to be easy to use.

All elements within a design should be consistent in terms of visual style, language, and functionality. This creates a unified and predictable user experience.

Avoid using shortcuts that require specialized knowledge or memorization, especially for inexperienced users. Stick to common conventions and well-known shortcuts.

Design for clarity and simplicity, avoiding clutter, distractions, and unnecessary complexity. Use clean layouts, appropriate typography, and a minimal approach.

Design interfaces that provide immediate and relevant feedback to user actions, ensuring users understand the consequences of their choices.