Week 4 Flashcards
(15 cards)
What are the three key principles of interaction design discussed in the lecture?
The three key principles of interaction design are:
Affordances
Feedback
Constraints
Why are these principles important in interaction design?
These principles are essential because they help create intuitive, user-friendly interfaces that guide users, provide necessary information, and prevent errors, enhancing the overall user experience.
What are affordances in interaction design?
Affordances are qualities of an object that suggest possible actions, guiding users on how an object can be used. They make the functionality of the interface intuitive without requiring detailed instructions.
Give an example of an affordance in design.
An example of an affordance is a button that appears raised or clickable, suggesting it can be pressed. Similarly, a slider that visually depicts movement suggests it can be pulled.
How do affordances improve usability in design?
Affordances improve usability by visually indicating what actions are possible, helping users understand how to interact with the interface without needing additional guidance or instructions.
What is feedback in the context of interaction design?
Answer: Feedback refers to the information sent back to the user after an action, showing the outcomes of that action and giving users a sense of control over their behavior.
What are the three types of feedback mentioned in the lecture?
Answer: The three types of feedback are:
Visual feedback (e.g., color changes or animations)
Auditory feedback (e.g., sounds signaling success or failure)
Tactile feedback (e.g., vibrations on mobile devices)
Why is feedback important in interaction design?
Answer: Feedback is important because it informs users of the results of their actions, which fosters a sense of competence, satisfaction, and control over their behavior.
What are constraints in interaction design?
Answer: Constraints are limitations or restrictions placed on a user’s options for interacting with an interface. They guide users towards desirable actions and prevent mistakes.
What are the three types of constraints discussed in the lecture?
Answer: The three types of constraints are:
Physical Constraints
Logical Constraints
Semantic Constraints
Give an example of each type of constraint.
Answer:
Physical Constraint: A USB plug can only fit one way into a port due to its shape and size.
Logical Constraint: An ATM will only allow a withdrawal after the correct PIN is entered.
Semantic Constraint: A flight booking site will prompt for both departure and return dates if the user selects a round-trip option but only the departure date for a one-way flight.
How do constraints improve usability in design?
Answer: Constraints improve usability by simplifying decision-making, guiding users toward the correct actions, and preventing errors by eliminating inappropriate options or choices.
How would you apply the principle of affordance in a mobile app design?
Answer: In a mobile app design, affordances can be applied by ensuring buttons are visually distinguishable (e.g., raised or colored) to suggest they are clickable and interactive elements, and sliders or switches should clearly depict their intended use.
How would you ensure proper feedback is provided in a form submission process?
Answer: Ensure that feedback is provided by showing visual indicators (e.g., a confirmation message or change in button color) after a user submits a form, and provide auditory or tactile feedback if relevant (e.g., a sound or vibration confirming submission).
Can you think of a situation where constraints could help prevent user errors in an online shopping website?
Answer: Constraints can be used on an online shopping website by limiting the selection of shipping methods to only those available in the user’s region, preventing errors where the user might select an unavailable or incompatible option.
