User Interface Design

User Interface Design

Lecture By: James SmeatonPresident and Creative Director of Highland Multimedia

Its importance and how it is changing the world we interact with

Brief Definition A connection between

systems, equipment or people

They help interaction between unlike entities

Early versions were obvious, think wells, stilts, lanterns

Later versions more complex, think weaving machines using punch cards, even the wheel

Why Interfaces Are Important Unavoidable

Think ATMs, Mass Transit, Household Appliances, Info. Technology

Growing Usage Lower cost electronics, growing intuition

gap, think bridge metaphor, doing more with less

Human Limitations Micro/Macro, Computation, Risk Avoidance

Role Is Essential Safety, Financial Systems, Health Care

Common Elements

Constant Evolution Standardization Challenges

Think Paradox, Think nuts & bolts Visual Design Principals

C.R.A.P, Type, Color, Shape, Menus Heavy Use of Symbols

Washrooms, Stop Signs Culturally Influenced

Age, location, exposure/interaction ie. Young learn quickly, Asians use more symbols

1985

1990

1996

2001

2006

Current Trends Disabilities Inspiring Innovation

Think visual, auditory mobility aids Minimization, Minimalism GUI -> NUI New Inputs & Outputs Ie. Voice, touch, mobile, re-works Think iPod, Wii, Kindle, touch screens

Possible Button Functions: Left, Right, Press, Press Long (using Time), Press & Left, Press & Right

Griffon PowerMate

Future Trends

NUI -> OUI Biometrics Flex Screens 3D Displays Retinal Displays Geo-Spatial Tracking Gestures (challenges remain)

Haptics (vibration, temperature)

Sub Vocal Eye Tracking Electrotactile

Stimulation Bionic Lens BCI: Brain Computer

Interfaces Examples: Mother Webbs

Menu, Apache Helicopter, GPS Dog Tracking, Human Cyborgs

Discussion

Evolution of logging onto the Internet HM is essentially a interface builder Interface Design Process Ethics of Interfaces (privacy, safety) Copy & Paste Interface Logic

Web Tools (Paypal kicks a UI out the door easy)