Keep Interaction Results the Same
As mentioned above, consistency in interface behavior is very important. If users experience different
results from the same action, they tend to question their own behavior rather than the product’s
behavior. This leads to users developing superstitious behavior, that is, they think they must do things
in just exactly a certain way for the desired result to happen; otherwise they are not sure of the results.Sequences of steps and actions should also be consistent throughout a product. I’ve seen products
where users had to logon multiple times to access different parts of the program. This was bad enough,
but it was made worse because the logon process was different each time. Navigation sequences must
also be consistent—don’t use Esc to back up one step in one window and then use Exit in another
window to do the same action.
Standard interface elements must behave the same way. For example, menu bar choices must always
display a drop-down menu when selected. Don’t surprise users by performing actions directly from the
menu bar. Don’t incinerate a discarded object when it is dropped in a waste basket!
Key Idea! If by design, different results might happen than users expect, inform
users before the action is performed. Give them a choice to perform the action,
cancel the operation, or perhaps choose another action to perform.
Provide Aesthetic Appeal and Integrity
Many of today’s products look like they were designed and developed by different people or even
different divisions who never talked with each other. Users question the integrity of a product if
inconsistent colors, fonts, icons, and window layouts are present throughout the product.
Just as a printed book has a predefined page layout, font, title, and color scheme, users should be able
to quickly learn how product interfaces visually fit together. Again, utilize the skills of graphic designers
on the design team effort.
Key Idea! A pretty interface can’t cover up for a lack of product functionality.
Users don’t just want “lipstick on the pig,” they want a visually pleasing interface
that allows them to get the job done.
Encourage Exploration
A goal for most user interface designers has been to produce user-friendly interfaces. A friendly
interface encourages users to explore the interface to find out where things are and what happens when
they do things, without fear of negative consequences. We are slowly achieving this goal, but users now
expect even more from a product interface. They expect guidance, direction, information, and even
entertainment while they use a product.
Key Idea! Interfaces today and in the future must be more intuitive, enticing,
predictable, and forgiving than the interfaces we’ve designed to date. The
explosion of CD-ROM products and Internet browsers, home pages, and applets
has exposed the user interface to a whole new world of computer users. It’s time
we moved onward past user-friendly interfaces to user-seductive and fun-to-use
product interfaces, even in the business environment.