8 Golden Rules of Interface Design

Any talk about interface design will not be complete unless a mention is made to the "8 golden rules of interface design". These rules are very important for designing an interface.

8 Golden Rules of Interface Design


We borrow the concept of using patterns from architecture. In architecture, we use design patterns for the construction of buildings. Wisdom is incorporated in these designs so other people can use them.

We also have the concept of architecture in computer science. Design patterns are used in computer science to solve the problem of usability and make the interface easier to use by the user and to increase user satisfaction with the interface.

                                          Ben Shneiderman, at University of Maryland lecturing
                                (Image taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ben_Shneiderman_Lecturing.jpg)



Recently, A computer scientist names Ben Shneiderman gave "8 golden rules of interface design". These rules were based on his research and empirical data collected through various experiments.

Here are the 8 rules:

1. Strive for Consistency
2. Cater to Universal Usability
3. Offer Informative feedback
4. Design Dialogs to yield closure
5. Prevent Errors
6. Permit easy reversal of actions
7. Support internal locus of control
8. Reduce short term memory

I have personally used these principles in the softwares that I have developed and found these immensely useful.

Let's discuss them one by one along with the insights I gained from these.

1. Strive for Consistency

Image taken from http://www.rockettinteractive.com/images/pic-consistency.jpg

Many forms of consistency:-

- Consistent sequences of actions should be required in similar situations
- Identical terminology should be used in prompts, menus, and help screens
- consistent color, layout, capitalization, fonts and so on should be employed throughout.

If menus, prompts, help screens are consistent, the user can quickly make out what is to be done in the next step.

2. Cater to Universal Usability

                                (Image taken from http://www.maps-continents.com/maps/globe-africa-countries.jpg)

A good interface should cater to universal usability.

There may be diverse users using your interface. You need to address the needs of diverse users.

For example, If you are creating a website, it is a good idea to create a website in such as way that it addresses both the low-bandwidth and high-bandwidth users.  Many good websites do this these days.

Sometimes implementing universal usability can be challenging because we need more resources to address a broad range of users.

3. Offer Informative Feedback


Offering informative feedback to the users for the actions they do gives the users confidence that they are proceeding in the right direction.

4. Design dialog to yield closure


Sequences of actions should be organized into groups with a beginning, middle and end.

Image taken from www.amazon.com

For example, when you checkout at amazon it takes you step by step through a sequence of actions. For example, you sign in, select payment option, place order, etc.

5. Prevent Errors


A good interface reduces errors , there can be many ways of doing so:

- Use selection instead of freestyle typing

A person may commit a typo while freestyle typing. So, selection is a good way of reducing that error.

 - Automatic completion

 Showing Google Autocomplete(http://alias-i.com/lingpipe/demos/tutorial/querySpellChecker/google-auto-complete.png)

Many search engines like Google use technology called AJAX which is used for automatic completion as we are typing in the query.

- Make error messages specific and positive in tone

An error messages should be positive in tone and most importantly specific. A specific message let's t he user know what he needs to do.

6. Permit Easy Reversal of actions


Permitting easy reversal of actions is a great way to :

- encourage user to explore new options
- Relieve anxiety

7. Support Internal Locus of Control

Every one like control in their hand!

User satisfaction is high when they feel that they are in control of the system
To do so:

- Avoid surprising interface actions, tedious data entries, etc.

User should feel that they are controlling the system.

8. Reduce short-term memory load


Human processing is limited in short term memory.
Therefore:

- Keep display simple
- Consolidate multiple-page displays , reduce windows-motion frequency.

References:

http://konigi.com/notebook/shneidermans-eight-golden-rules-interface-design
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_usability