User expectations
Encyclopedia
User expectations refers to the consistency that users expect from products. Interaction design
is very concerned with this topic. For example, our user expectations for traffic behavior is one of the more consistent ones because it is governed by traffic laws that are enforced. Software, or even worse small consumer electronics
, on the other hand, can have widely varying degrees of consistency.
A good rule of thumb
or design principle to use in interaction design is to follow the "Principle of least astonishment
". In the case of interactive software applications, for example, users form expectations based on their experience with similar kinds of software. Effective software design
aims to conform with prevailing norms for aspects of behavior such as the software's user interface
and its responsiveness
.
A commonly noted sign of poor usability
and human factors
due to the violation of user expectations is when signs
are needed for common things like doors. This was made famous by Donald A. Norman in his seminal book The Psychology of Everyday Things. There is also a website devoted to such Bad Designs http://baddesigns.com.
Interaction design
In design, human–computer interaction, and software development, interaction design, often abbreviated IxD, is "the practice of designing interactive digital products, environments, systems, and services." Like many other design fields interaction design also has an interest in form but its main...
is very concerned with this topic. For example, our user expectations for traffic behavior is one of the more consistent ones because it is governed by traffic laws that are enforced. Software, or even worse small consumer electronics
Consumer electronics
Consumer electronics are electronic equipment intended for everyday use, most often in entertainment, communications and office productivity. Radio broadcasting in the early 20th century brought the first major consumer product, the broadcast receiver...
, on the other hand, can have widely varying degrees of consistency.
A good rule of thumb
Rule of thumb
A rule of thumb is a principle with broad application that is not intended to be strictly accurate or reliable for every situation. It is an easily learned and easily applied procedure for approximately calculating or recalling some value, or for making some determination...
or design principle to use in interaction design is to follow the "Principle of least astonishment
Principle of least astonishment
The principle of least astonishment applies to user interface design, software design, and ergonomics. It is alternatively referred to as the rule or law of least astonishment, or the rule or principle of least surprise .The POLA states that, when two elements of an interface conflict, or are...
". In the case of interactive software applications, for example, users form expectations based on their experience with similar kinds of software. Effective software design
Software design
Software design is a process of problem solving and planning for a software solution. After the purpose and specifications of software are determined, software developers will design or employ designers to develop a plan for a solution...
aims to conform with prevailing norms for aspects of behavior such as the software's user interface
User interface
The user interface, in the industrial design field of human–machine interaction, is the space where interaction between humans and machines occurs. The goal of interaction between a human and a machine at the user interface is effective operation and control of the machine, and feedback from the...
and its responsiveness
Response time
In technology, response time is the time a system or functional unit takes to react to a given input.- Data processing :In data processing, the response time perceived by the end user is the interval between the instant at which an operator at a terminal enters a request for a response from a...
.
A commonly noted sign of poor usability
Usability
Usability is the ease of use and learnability of a human-made object. The object of use can be a software application, website, book, tool, machine, process, or anything a human interacts with. A usability study may be conducted as a primary job function by a usability analyst or as a secondary job...
and human factors
Human factors
Human factors science or human factors technologies is a multidisciplinary field incorporating contributions from psychology, engineering, industrial design, statistics, operations research and anthropometry...
due to the violation of user expectations is when signs
Information sign
An information sign is a very legibly printed and very noticeable placard that informs people of the purpose of an object, or gives them instruction on the use of something. An example is a traffic sign such as a stop sign....
are needed for common things like doors. This was made famous by Donald A. Norman in his seminal book The Psychology of Everyday Things. There is also a website devoted to such Bad Designs http://baddesigns.com.
External links
- User Expectations in a World of Smart Devices, by Mike Kuniavsky
- Managing User Expectations, by John Rhodes
- How to Avoid Foolish Consistency, by Scott BerkunScott BerkunScott Berkun is an American author and speaker.Scott Berkun studied computer science, philosophy, and design at Carnegie Mellon University. He worked at Microsoft from 1994 to 2003 on Internet Explorer 1.0 to 5.0, Windows, MSN, and in roles including usability engineer, lead program manager, and UI...