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THE EIGHT GOLDEN
RULES OF INTERFACE DESIGN
STRIVE FOR CONSISTENCY.
It is very important to make sure that the
interface is consistent. Examples of this are
making sure all fonts are match, terminology is
similar throughout, and layout is consisten. This
rule is often ignored or violated, so be extra
careful
ENABLE FREQUENT USERS TO
USE SHORTCUTS. When users begin to use
the software more, they want to be able to reduce
the amount of time it takes to interact with the
program. Use shortcuts that will help cut time
from the frequent user's day.
OFFER INFORMATIVE
FEEDBACK. It is important that feedback
(ie. errors, input requests) be informative.
Since every interaction the user has with the
computer should have a response, make them
informative but not distractive.
DESIGN DIALOGS TO YIELD
CLOSURE. During sequences of actions, it
is important to allow the user to yield. This
allows the user more control of what the program
is doing.
OFFER ERROR PREVENTION
AND SIMPLE ERROR HANDLING. As often as
possible when designing the project, avoid
opportunities for the user to cause a critical
error. For example, when a user inputs a number
when a letter is needed, do not allow the number
to be entered. This will avoid a error.
PERMIT EASY REVERSAL OF
ACTIONS. All actions that can be
reversible, should be. This allows the user to
undo something that might have been a mistake or
was not appealing to them.
SUPPORT INTERNAL LOCUS OF
CONTROL. Users want to feel in control
of the software. If the user does not feel in
control, they will feel anxiety and
dissatisfaction
REDUCE SHORT-TERM MEMORY
LOAD. It should be realized that human
short-term memory is not perfect. This limitation
should be recognized when designing. Too much
information is bad information.
� 1998 by Andrew
Chauner
Last Modified :Friday, April 24, 1998 03:43 PM CST
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comments/suggestions? e-mail achauner@depauw.edu
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