Designing with the Mind in Mind

Acknowledgments

Foreword

Introduction

User-Interface Design Rules: Where do they come from and how can they be used Effectively?

User-Interface Design and Evaluation Requires Understanding and Experience

Comparing User-Interface Design Guidelines

Where do Design Guidelines come from?

Intended Audience of this Book

Chapter 1. Our Perception is Biased

Abstract

Perception Biased by Experience

Perception Biased by Current Context

Perception Biased by Goals

Taking Biased Perception into Account When Designing

Chapter 2. Our Vision is Optimized to See Structure

Abstract

Gestalt Principle: Proximity

Gestalt Principle: Similarity

Gestalt Principle: Continuity

Gestalt Principle: Closure

Gestalt Principle: Symmetry

Gestalt Principle: Figure/Ground

Gestalt Principle: Common Fate

Gestalt Principles: Combined

Chapter 3. We Seek and Use Visual Structure

Abstract

Structure Enhances People’s Ability to Scan Long Numbers

Data-Specific Controls Provide Even More Structure

Visual Hierarchy Lets People Focus on the Relevant Information

Chapter 4. Our Color Vision is Limited

Abstract

How Color Vision Works

Vision is Optimized for Contrast, Not Brightness

The Ability to Discriminate Colors Depends on How Colors are Presented

Color-Blindness

External Factors that Influence the Ability to Distinguish Colors

Guidelines for Using Color

Chapter 5. Our Peripheral Vision is Poor

Abstract

Resolution of the Fovea Compared to the Periphery

Is the Visual Periphery Good for Anything?

Examples from Computer User Interfaces

Common Methods of Making Messages Visible

Heavy Artillery for Making Users Notice Messages

Visual Search is Linear Unless Targets “Pop” in the Periphery

Chapter 6. Reading is Unnatural

Abstract

We’re Wired for Language, but not for Reading

Is Reading Feature-Driven or Context-Driven?

Skilled and Unskilled Reading use Different Parts of the Brain

Poor Information Design can Disrupt Reading

Much of the Reading Required by Software is Unnecessary

Test on Real Users

Chapter 7. Our Attention is Limited; Our Memory is Imperfect

Abstract

Short- Versus Long-Term Memory

A Modern View of Memory

Characteristics of Attention and Working Memory

Implications of Working Memory Characteristics for User-Interface Design

Characteristics of Long-Term Memory

Implications of Long-Term Memory Characteristics for User-Interface Design

Chapter 8. Limits on Attention Shape Our Thought and Action

Abstract

We Focus on Our Goals and Pay Little Attention to Our Tools

We Notice Things More When they are Related to Our Goals

We Use External Aids to Keep Track of What we are Doing

We Follow the Information “Scent” Toward Our Goal

We Prefer Familiar Paths

Our Thought Cycle: Goal, Execute, Evaluate

After We Achieve a task’s Primary Goal, We Often Forget Cleanup Steps

Chapter 9. Recognition is Easy; Recall is Hard

Abstract

Recognition is Easy

Recall is Hard

Recognition Versus Recall: Implications for User-Interface Design

Chapter 10. Learning from Experience and Performing Learned Actions are Easy; Novel Actions, Problem Solving, and Calculation are Hard

Abstract

We have Three Brains

We have Two Minds

Learning from Experience is (Usually) Easy

Performing Learned Actions is Easy

Performing Novel Actions is Hard

Problem Solving and Calculation are Hard

Implications for User-Interface Design

Answers to Puzzles

Chapter 11. Many Factors Affect Learning

Abstract

We Learn Faster when Practice is Frequent, Regular, and Precise

We Learn Faster when Operation is Task Focused, Simple, and Consistent

We Learn Faster when Vocabulary is Task Focused, Familiar, and Consistent

When Risk is Low, we Explore More and Learn More

Chapter 12. Human Decision Making is Rarely Rational

Abstract

People are Often Irrational

Losses Mean More to us Than Gains

We are Biased by how Choices are Worded

We are Biased by Our Vivid Imaginations and Memories

Exploiting Strengths and Weaknesses of Human Cognition

Chapter 13. Our Hand–Eye Coordination Follows Laws

Abstract

Fitts’ Law: Pointing at Displayed Targets

Steering Law: Moving Pointers Along Constrained Paths

Chapter 14. We Have Time Requirements

Abstract

Responsiveness Defined

The Many Time Constants of the Human Brain

Engineering Approximations of time Constants: Orders of Magnitude

Designing to Meet Real-Time Human Interaction Deadlines

Additional Guidelines for Achieving Responsive Interactive Systems

Achieving Responsiveness is Important

Epilogue

Summary

Caveat

Appendix. Well-known User-Interface Design Rules

Norman (1983a)

Shneiderman (1987); Shneiderman and Plaisant (2009)

Nielsen and Molich (1990)

Nielsen and Mack (1994)

Stone et al. (2005)

Johnson (2007)

Bibliography

Index