User Guide of mobile phone product design

In the mobile phone product design process, because the handset interface's carrying capacity is limited, the product function expands unceasingly, must after the user opens the application to inform him some novel function, guides him to complete certain main task flow, lets the user not be lost in the unfamiliar application to be overwhelmed. To help users quickly master the use of applications, experience the fun of the application, the novice led into a must consider the design link.

The direct goal of user guidance is to help users better use products, the ultimate goal is to enhance customer satisfaction. Although, in most cases, we can use reasonable design, as much as possible to simplify the function, so that users without guidance and help, you can complete the necessary tasks. But in fact, the limitations of mobile phone products and the pursuit of powerful features, leading to this goal is difficult to achieve, so more and more applications began to use user guidance to help users quickly familiar with the product.

First, the text description class

The simplest type of user boot in the first category is the text description class. Help users understand the functionality of the product and the actions needed to perform it in a descriptive way. The text description class user guides several examples of the following figure:

From left to right, Memento, Instapaper and Jamie Oliver.

Menento is a diary program, when you do not add tag to the diary, there will be a text description, tells you that tag is used to browse and search, you can create and edit the diary when creating. Tell you can add a friend to tag, you can add to the geographical location tag, you can add the event as tag, you can create a custom tag;instapaper is a reading tool, when you first open the application, there is no article, this page will have text description, tell you that you can through friends, authors, The browser finds articles that can be read. When you add an article to the Instapaper via a browser bookmark or email, the article will be displayed here; Jamie Oliver is a gourmet tool, and if you don't create a gourmet shopping list, this page will be written to remind you how to add shopping list.

Applicable situation:

As smart as you are, you must have found out that the examples mentioned here are in the absence of data. When there is no data, it is a very important occurrence of the text description. Many designers will ignore no data when the interface design, product personnel will also ignore no data, how to guide users to use products, resulting in the user to see the empty panel, whisk.

In fact, the text description can also be used in more than 5s of the boot interface (Splash Screens), can also be used under an action button below, can also be used in a section of data loaded pop-up box. It can be used anywhere you can think of, as long as it's a reasonable design requirement.

Disadvantages:

Of course, the text description of the disadvantage is also obvious, proving of the details of the function, very few people can patiently read, not to mention the boring manual is always Apple products are disgusted with things, so the text description to be cautious, do not abuse.

Design Guide:

To use the user language rather than the program language

In the absence of data can be given a text description

Don't proving, be concise

You can use the time of waiting to use text to describe the function

You can describe complex functional operations with a text description

Second, the function reminds class

Because some function design is not conducive to the identification of the icon, some functions hidden in the gesture is not easy to detect, some function is the product main function needs to be known, in this case, more and more applications using function to remind the class of floating layer to do user guidance, such as:

From the right in turn is Tweetbot, QQ address Book and Talkbox

Tweet with the small floating layer with arrows to inform the user, click Navigation bar can switch the attention list; QQ communication with the use of dynamic small floating layer to remind users, sliding left can show the right side of the hidden screen content; Talkbox a floating layer with an animated GIF to tell the user that the collection can be heard from the headset by placing it next to the ear.

Usage scenarios:

Used to inform important functions, unrecognized feature icons, hidden operations that are not easily perceived

Disadvantages:

Sometimes need to remind of too much, often do not start. If your application does not have a clear important function, or careful design, caution with the good. Because you may not be reminded of the user needs, so that novice users at a loss, veteran users feel that you are too superficial. But fortunately such reminders will not interrupt the user's operation, and will not force users to read, but it is precisely because of such reminders fleeting, but also easy to miss, resulting in can not be viewed, so be careful to set a repeat frequency, to avoid being missed.

Design Guide:

Do not interrupt the operation in progress

Judge the timing of the need to be reminded

Continuous 3~5s automatically disappears

Can repeat around 3 times

Used to remind hidden operations or important features

Third, the operation of the Guide class

The user guide of the Operation Guide class is used in a large number of games and SNS products, if it is set up a lot of complex products, also must have reasonable operation guide. Operational guidance is divided into mandatory and non-mandatory. The main mandatory is registration, verify, activate the related process, not meet the conditions can not meet the security; Non-mandatory is encouraged to fill out the perfect information or encourage the completion of a task, such guidance is best to give certain incentives, such as points, badges, grades, etc., at least one "congratulations, success." The sort of mind that satisfies the hint. The specific case is shown in the following figure:

From left to right are Albumphoto, Gowalla, and with.

Albumphoto Guide new users to create a new album; Gowalla Guide new users to create a sign-in information and share pictures for friends; With guide user to bind Twitter account to share photos. If it is a complex task flow, each step to the new user to explain clearly, this step in which link, how to operate, what role.

The Operation guide needs certain operation stimulation, appears at certain time, has certain repetition frequency, and defines certain guide style.

Usage scenarios:

Guide users to perform operations, guide users to sign up for binding accounts, guide users to improve data, guide users to import relationships, guide users to share applications to friends and so on

Disadvantages:

Sometimes a bit too strong suspicion, users do not really need this level of guidance, as a spotlight focused on important operations directly, otherwise all the app is like game client development.

Design Guide:

Can lead users to perform primary operations

Do not force users to perform actions

If the task is multiple steps to focus on the design of each step

The main features can be designed to differentiate from other

Four, the operation schematic type

Operation schematic Novice guide, often use a simple animation, or display the function, and then move smoothly to the outside of the screen, or the clickable button to do a click after the effect of animation, or some user expected to perform the operation of the earlier demonstration. The first time I saw a good operation. The schematic novice Guide is on the Nokia N900, Maemo operating system, with a small highlight to simulate the finger click on an action button on the effect.

The picture above is Naver, bump and Sina Weibo from left to right in turn.

Naver Search Type switch is a drop-down search box will appear, the first time to start, the search box in the Drop-down state, to remind users to pull down to see these features, and then automatically hide; Bump is in the initial interface, the form of animation to inform users, touch a mobile phone can transmit data, and Sina Weibo in the first load of data, will give a gesture + Drop-down guide, told the user drop-down can refresh the data.

These signals, with easy and simple techniques, convey to the user the fresh function of the use of good taste, than the blunt text or the outdated shells are thoughtful, encourage designers to try this way.

Usage scenarios:

Complex or important operation of animation to inform

Disadvantage:

Design to achieve trouble, the cost is slightly higher

Design Guide:

Note the duration of the animation and the timing of the occurrence

Used to illustrate hidden operations or functions

Do not affect the main task process

Five, Manual category

Don't know when to start, Manual User Guide with the beginning of the popular, this seemingly more traditional means, can be more comprehensive display of the function and use of products, especially for the product update instructions, this version of the iteration of what features, what improvements, so that users come in to know, It's worth the time to know that your traffic is time-consuming and updated. One-page Instruction manual class guide case is as follows:

From left to right, Google client, Pull time, and today