User Interface Design Principles

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Questions and Answers

What is essential for successful direct manipulation in user interfaces?

Auditory cues

Rich visual feedback (correct)

Clear textual instructions

Minimalistic design

What is the purpose of visual indication of selection in user interfaces?

To inform users about performance metrics

To confirm successful login

To enhance aesthetic appeal

To show which objects are selected (correct)

Which concept refers to the ability to select multiple items at once?

Additive selection (correct)

Mutual exclusion

Discrete selection

Contiguous selection

What must drag-and-drop targets visually indicate for proper user interaction?

Their receptivity to dropped objects Signup and view all the answers

In handling 3D object manipulation, which issue must be addressed?

Display and input idioms Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a primary window in a desktop application?

To act as a movable, resizable container for content and controls Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following components is typically found in a primary window's structure?

Sidebars Signup and view all the answers

What role do secondary windows play in relation to primary windows?

They support the primary window by offering access to less frequently used properties Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant advantage of check mark menu items compared to flip-flop menu items?

Check mark items clearly indicate the selected option. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of desktop design does the term 'WYSIWYG' refer to?

How documents can be viewed and edited visually Signup and view all the answers

How should related commands be visually represented in menus?

Using consistent visual symbols. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of toolbars in user interfaces?

To provide quick access to frequently used commands. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding windows in a desktop application is true?

Primary windows assume a sovereign posture filling most of the screen Signup and view all the answers

Which feature is NOT commonly associated with the anatomy of a desktop application?

Multi-touch gestures Signup and view all the answers

What best describes cascading menus?

They complicate navigation by hiding options in submenus. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of an MDI interface over an SDI interface?

MDI conserves more bytes and CPU cycles than SDI. Signup and view all the answers

What main design consideration does the content structure of a primary window typically include?

Components that allow direct manipulation of data Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic distinguishes toolbars from dialog boxes?

Toolbars remain available without the need for user interaction. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a pluralized window state?

It is neither minimized nor maximized. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common issue with unnecessary secondary windows in an application?

They can cause navigation to become oppressive. Signup and view all the answers

What type of control is primarily emphasized for desktop applications in interaction design?

Pointing, selection, and direct manipulation Signup and view all the answers

What functionality should disabled toolbar controls exhibit?

They should be greyed out and unresponsive to clicks. Signup and view all the answers

What should be avoided to prevent window pollution in applications?

Providing functions in the window where they are not typically used. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of movable toolbars?

They can be dragged off and made into floating palettes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of disabling menu items in an application?

To indicate to users that those functions are currently unavailable. Signup and view all the answers

How should ToolTips be used in conjunction with toolbars?

They should support all toolbar and iconic controls. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of user interface design, how should application windows be understood?

As separate rooms with defined goals and functions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the suggested approach when implementing menus in applications for new users?

Menu items should be simplified and clarified. Signup and view all the answers

What defines necessary rooms within an application’s design framework?

Rooms that are created for functions outside the standard workflow. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key advantage of using tiled windows over overlapping windows?

Navigation between applications is easier. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic makes rectangular panes particularly effective in modern GUIs?

They align well with display technology. Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of overlapping windows?

They can obscure applications making navigation difficult. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of virtual desktop spaces?

To extend the desktop size beyond the physical display. Signup and view all the answers

What advantage do full-screen applications provide?

They reduce visual clutter and confusion. Signup and view all the answers

What type of application combines tiled windows within a single full-screen application?

Multi-paneled applications. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a challenge associated with overlapping windows?

Physical space limitations on the screen. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common drawback of using tiled windows?

They can create too much visual noise. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary feature of customizable toolbars?

They allow advanced users to modify the ribbon control. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes tool palettes?

They contain a set of mutually exclusive controls representing operating modes. Signup and view all the answers

What role do sidebars serve in an application?

To provide functions that were historically delivered through dialog boxes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of mouse ergonomics in user interfaces?

To provide a better experience through optimized mouse button usage. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about mouse actions is accurate?

Double-clicking combines single-clicking with action. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of cursor hinting?

To display the meanings of modifier keys. Signup and view all the answers

How should mouse-down events be considered in a user interface?

They propose an action to be taken when released. Signup and view all the answers

What is one significant characteristic of drawers in an application?

They conserve screen real estate by being stowed offscreen. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Interaction Design ISB36403

The course is about design for desktop, mobile, and web.
Part 1 focuses on desktop design.
The outline includes designing for desktops, anatomy of desktop apps, windows on desktops, menus, toolbars, palettes, sidebars, pointing, selection, and direct manipulation, design for web, page-based interactions, the mobile web, and the future, design for mobile and other devices, anatomy of a mobile app, mobile navigation, content, and control idioms, multi-touch gestures, inter-app integration, and other devices.

Introduction

Modern desktop interfaces are derived from the Xerox Alto.
Macintosh has profoundly influenced technology, design, and culture.
The lecture focuses on design considerations for modern desktop GUIs.
It focuses on the behavior of windows, their structural and navigational components, and pointer-driven selection and manipulation.

Anatomy of a Desktop App

Desktop apps have primary and secondary windows.
The primary window structure contains menus, toolbars, index panes, tool palettes, and sidebars.

Primary and Secondary Windows

A window is a movable and resizable container for content and app controls.
Designing an application involves one primary window and potentially multiple secondary windows.
The primary window typically presents document-based content, manipulatable elements, and customizable configurations, often with content divided into panes.
Secondary windows often present supporting properties or functions (dialogs) and are often removable panes or palettes.

Primary Window Structure

The primary window is divided into functional areas: a content or work area, a menu bar, and toolbars, panels, or palettes.

Menus and Toolbars

Menus: collections of actions accessed by clicking on words arranged near the top of the screen.
Standardization rules govern the placement and functionality of menus based on the operating system.
Toolbars contain more specific application actions. Most commonly, they are triggered from menus and comprised of icons.

Content Panes

Content panes are the primary work areas in desktop applications.
An example is the editable view of a form or a document.
They are generally divided into content-bearing panes.
Some applications (e.g., CAD) may have multiple content panes.

Index Panes

Index panes provide navigation and access to documents or objects that appear in the content view.
They can display content configurations, such as email software organization.
Objects can be added and removed from these panes without affecting the existing contents.

Tool Palettes

Tool palettes allow rapid switching between application modes by selecting a tool.
Each tool is associated with different operations (actions).
Tool palettes change cursor visuals to match functionality.
They're typically vertically placed on the primary window's left border.

Sidebars

Sidebars allow manipulation of object or document properties efficiently without modal or modeless dialogs.
They streamline complex authoring application workflows.
Sidebars are usually positioned on either the right or left side of the primary window.
They may also be found on the bottom of the window or as substitutes for the window itself.

Windows on the Desktop

Overlapping windows, tiled windows, virtual desktop spaces, full-screen applications, multi-paned applications, and window states are all part of the desktop environment.
Important considerations include how windows and documents relate, creating effective use of windows, avoiding unnecessary windows and rooms, and establishing purpose for each part of the window.

Overlapping Windows

Windows can be moved over or stacked, independently resized, and control transferred between them easily.
Without assisting navigation between applications, execution can be impractical.
Misclicks can cause applications to unexpectedly disappear, and many layered windows can obscure content.

Tiled Windows

Tiled windows allow users to have multiple applications active simultaneously.
They divide the screen into rectangular tiles, making navigation fairly straightforward.
However, overlapping applications can obscure certain elements.

Virtual Desktop Spaces

Virtual desktop managers extend the display's size by adding virtual screens.
Switching between them allows managing multiple applications efficiently.

Full-Screen Applications

Full-screen applications occupy the entire screen, making the application the sole focus.
They provide a dedicated workspace with better pixel usage and visual clarity.

Multi-Paned Applications

Independent views or panes within a full-screen application improve visual clarity.
Different panes handle various tasks within a single window.
It simplifies display management by consolidating several functions into one area.

Window States

Minimized, maximized, and pluralized states define window configurations (collapsed, full-screen, or in-between states).

Windows and Documents

Multiple Document Interface (MDI) applications can use multiple sheets within a single application.
Single Document Interface (SDI) applications need separate instances for each sheet.
MDI applications tend to consume more resources than SDI applications.
Navigation in MDI applications may require careful window management.

Making Use of Windows

Applications use primary and secondary windows (dialog boxes) to structure functions and workflows.
Defining the application framework requires careful consideration of how to use windows.

Unnecessary Rooms

Unnecessary rooms are secondary windows used for functions that should be integrated into the primary window.
Provide functions in the area where they are used, just like dialog boxes.

Necessary Rooms

Necessary rooms are windows where functions are used in sequences that extend beyond the typical use case. Function location is critical to application workflow.

Menus

Menus act as pedagogical tools for new users, providing context-aware guidance.
Icons on menus should follow consistent visual patterns.
Menus can also be disabled where functions are not applicable.

Accelerators

Providing standard accelerators, showing how to access them, and ensuring they are usable are major considerations when designing the menu system.

Access Keys

Access keys add additional ways to access menu commands.

Cascading Menus vs. Monocline

Using cascading menus can make it difficult to browse the commands.
Modern applications use a single level, simplifying command organization.

Toolbars, Palettes, and Sidebars

Toolbars are collections of icon buttons displayed horizontally or vertically along the application's border.
Palettes group tools that relate to a specific operating mode, such as creating, selecting, or editing objects.
Sidebars are commonly displayed to the side of the window and are used for displaying related properties.

Toolbars and Menus

Menus organize complete toolsets for new users, and toolbars offer quick access for experienced users.
Experience with menus and toolbars varies between users, and they use them in different ways.

Toolbars versus Modeless Dialogs

Toolbars are visually distinct from modal dialog boxes and continuously available.

Toolbar icons do not necessarily need to explain functionality; their purpose is visibility and ease of distinction.

Tool Tips

Tooltips provide context for toolbar buttons.

Toolbar controls are disabled when they are not applicable to the current selection.

Modern toolbars include icons and buttons, sometimes combined in visually rich menus.

Movable Toolbars

Toolbars can be docked or dragged off the toolbar for flexibility.

Customizable Toolbars

Advanced users can often customize toolbars, including the "ribbon control."

Contextual Pop-Up Toolbars

Contextual toolbars appear when certain selections are made.

2D/3D Object Manipulation

2D object manipulation includes object repositioning, resizing, and connecting tools.
3D object manipulation has different considerations, including display issues and input issues based on the 3D environment.

Pointing, Selection, and Direct Manipulation

Systems used for pointing, navigating, and selecting objects.
Drag and drop, and all related operations, require carefully designed methods for feedback in order to provide an appropriate user experience.

Drop Candidates

Drop candidates require clear visual indication of their receptiveness.
Drag cursor visual cues identify the source object during the drag process.

Control Manipulation

Control manipulation tools include modal tools and palettes, charged cursor tools, 2D/3D object manipulation commands, and other interaction functions.

Q&A

A question-and-answer session.

Next Session

Next session focuses on designing web interfaces.

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Description

Test your knowledge on essential direct manipulation techniques and the visual aspects of user interfaces. Explore concepts such as drag-and-drop, the functions of primary and secondary windows, and the significance of menu item design in desktop applications.