Appliance Design - September 2008 - (Page 23) INDUSTRIAL DESIGN & HUMAN FACTORS ary tasks are done relatively infrequently, such as changing the time of day setting on an alarm clock. Heuristics like frequency of use are essential for effective interface design, but they can only take one so far, as new functions and new interface capabilities arise. So how does one determine the appropriate design of user touch points in order to create a clear user experience? A more appropriate question would be, how does one know which design, among several approaches, would be clearest to the majority of users? In practice, achieving the best user experience typically requires developing several user interface concept designs or prototypes of equal functional complexity by considering various control arrangements or interactions. (Note, this assumes that expertise, or at least guidance, in interaction design was applied in the formulation of the various concepts.) There are two basic approaches to evaluating and comparing the clarity of alternative user interface approaches — modeling and testing. Modeling uses a set of criteria to objectively quantify the characteristics of a hypothetical user experience with the product interface. In cognitive modeling, a set of discrete actions are defined that represent how a user will interact with the interface — viewing a displayed list of a. Reach and press a button: 1 second. b. Wait for system to update display: 0.25 seconds. c. Review a list of five displayed choices: 5.5 seconds. d. Make a decision among five choices: 1.5 seconds. The usability differentiator between comparably featured products is not simplicity versus complexity, but clarity… options, making a decision, and reaching and pressing the preferred option. Each of these behaviors is assigned a time-based value. For example, a user experience might consist of the following sequence: e. Reach, grasp, and rotate a knob through 180 degrees: 3 seconds. Note that these particular times are hypothetical values for explanatory purposes. Actual time values would be determined Introducing the NEW Richco Catalog Edition • Features thousands of fastening component solutions IN STOCK • Contains over 130 new parts • Full color 3D models and product application graphics • Thumbnail index for quick product identification • Color coded product sections for easy reference • RoHS compliance information • Extensive material information, temperature ratings, and environmental compliance data • Custom design and manufacturing capabilities also available • Available in Spanish • And much more! At your request, we’ll ship samples within 24 hours for your quick evaluation. Our customer service specialists along with Richco’s multiple global manufacturing and distribution centers will ensure you get what you need when you need it. For your FREE copy of Richco’s New Catalog Edition 28, please call 1-800-621-1892 or visit our website www.richco-inc.com CIRCUIT BOARD HARDWARE • CARD GUIDES & PULLERS • RIVETS, SCREWS, WASHERS & NUTS • MOTION CONTROL, BUMPERS & FEET • INSULATORS LED HARDWARE • FAN ACCESSORIES • CABLE TIES & ACCESSORIES • CABLE MANAGEMENT • FIBER MANAGEMENT • GROMMETS & BUSHINGS AD09074Rich2.indd 1 www.applianceDESIGN.com applianceDESIGN 8/8/07 9:19:39 23 September 2008 AM http://www.richco-inc.com http://www.richco-inc.com http://www.appliancedesign.com
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