Interface Design Principles

1. Design Principles

(1) User principles. Human-Machine Interface Design must first be established
User type. The classification type can be determined from different angles according to the actual situation. Determine the type and predict their response to different interfaces based on its characteristics. This requires design and analysis from multiple aspects.
(2) The most informative
Small Amount principle. The human-machine interface design should minimize the user memory burden and adopt a design scheme that is helpful to memory.
(3) Principles of help and prompt. To respond to user operation commands, help the user to process questions
Question. The system should be designed to have the ability to restore the site where the error occurred, prompt for internal handling work in the system, and give the initiative to the user as much as possible.
(4) best media combination principle. The success of the Multimedia Interface is not
We only provide users with a wide range of media resources, but should, under the guidance of relevant theories, handle the relationships between various media resources and select appropriate ones. (For details, see media selection)

2. INTERFACE ANALYSIS AND RULES
Fan

In the design of man-machine interfaces, we should first conduct Interface Design Analysis, analyze user characteristics, analyze user tasks, and record the concepts and terminologies of user-related systems.
Media Application System Analysis is integrated into the user analysis report.

3. Man-Machine Interface Type

After the task is designed, you must determine the interface type.
At present, there are a variety of man-machine interface design types, each with different quality and performance, are described in detail.
The creative use of multimedia environments will greatly enhance application functions. To achieve this
Point, you need to consider the following two aspects:

Media Selection
(1) Media functions:

No media is optimal in all scenarios, and each media has a specific range of its own expertise. For more information about various media functions, see:
① Text: it can be used to express concepts and detail.
②
Graphics: good at expressing ideological outlines and the trend information contained in a large number of numerical data, which has a great advantage in spatial information.
③ Animation: it can be used to highlight the whole thing and is especially suitable for displaying static images.
Action information.
④ Video and image: Suitable for displaying real-life events and scenes that are difficult to present by other media.
⑤ Speech: can highlight conversation information, especially in images and Motion
A large amount of information can be transmitted when the album is set.
6. Posture and action: strong information reference capability is provided when combined with other media, and time, space, and logical connections can be established between related information.

(2)
Combination and complementarity of media selection:
In the script design, you can allocate the expressive media according to the content. Pay special attention to the combination and difference between the media. The following principles are proposed:

①
People have different needs for information media at different stages in the problem solving process. Generally, media that can provide specific information, such as voice and image, are used in the initial stage of exploration, while descriptive abstraction is used in the final stage of analysis.
Concept text media. However, some intuitive information (images, images, etc.) is between the two and is suitable for the comprehensive stage.
② Media types have no significant impact on the transmission of spatial information.
Long.
③ Media integration is a new topic to be studied in multimedia design. Media can support and interfere with each other. Multi-media should be closely related, and a theme should be held down, rather than irrelevant
Media content is pieced together.
④ Currently, media integration mainly provides information fragments (Space Integration) of multiple media in one window, and changes in voice, voice, and video formats over time.
Media Synchronization (time series combination ).
⑤ There are not more and better media resources. It is a good research course to explore how to combine various media on the semantic layer to transmit information more effectively.
It is also a key issue in the design of man-machine interfaces for application systems.

(2) user psychology-Application of cognitive principles

Cognitive Psychology, in a broad sense
It is about cognitive psychology. Human beings understand objective things mainly through feelings, perception, attention, memory, and imagination. Therefore, all the mental processes of human cognition belong to the cognitive mind.
Science. In fact, the cognitive psychology we refer to here refers to psychology that studies cognitive psychology processes purely from the perspective of information processing, that is, using information theory and computer analogy, simulation, verification, and other methods.
The knowledge is obtained, stored, exchanged, and used. Therefore, the essence of modern cognitive psychology we refer to here is information processing psychology. In general
It is called Narrow cognitive psychology.

1. Cognitive Process
The process of watching and listening constitutes perception. images and sounds are received as stimulating features and encoded in an abstract way.
The information in the memory is compared to explain the stimulus. This process is cognition. Human Information Processor includes sensory, short-term memory, long-term memory and associated action processor and cognitive processor. Each perception
There is a corresponding short-term memory and processor. The overall body information model is shown in Figure 4.3.1 on the left. The jobs that cognitive processors perform are what we usually call thinking. Thinking results or stored
Or sent to the action processor to control the action.

2. Cognitive Psychology
(1) core of modern cognitive psychology:
The essence of modern cognitive psychology is to study human psychology activities from the perspective of computer information processing, and to regard the human brain as a computer-like information processing system.
(2) Modern Cognitive Psychology
Two key concepts:
The theory of modern cognitive psychology is embodied in two key concepts. An important central concept of modern cognitive psychology is "information ". To some extent, the concept of "information" is removed,
The Theory of Cognitive Psychology is also disorganized and difficult to exist.
Another important central concept of modern cognitive psychology is "Information Processing System ". The theory of information processing system is the subject of Modern Cognitive Psychology Theory.
(3) Study of Modern Cognitive Psychology
Methods: Modern Cognitive Psychology research methods include experiment, observation (including self-observation), and computer simulation.

3. cognitive principles of human-computer interaction design
According
User psychology and cognitive science, the following basic principles are proposed to guide human-machine interface interaction design.
(1) consistency principle. Familiar with tasks, information expressions, interface control operations, etc.
The mode should be consistent as much as possible.
(2) compatibility. It must be compatible with the reality of user expectation and interface design based on the user's previous experience.
(3) adaptability. The user should be in a controlling position because
This interface should be adapted to users in many ways.
(4) guidance. The interface design should guide the user through task prompts and feedback, so as to "user-centered ".
(5) structure. Interface Design
Should be structured to reduce complexity.
(6) economy. The interface design requires the least steps required to support users.

Under the guidance of the above basic principles
The following are some references for interface design and screen design:
(1) From concrete to abstract. That is, users are provided with specific objects through the Multimedia Interface. Then, let the learners summarize the specific objects and content
Abstract concepts or principles, or use a Simulated System to guide abstract principles.
(2) The visible content is displayed. Use numbers, diagrams, animations, colors, and other clear and objective objects as much as possible
Displays principles, formulas, or abstract concepts.
(3) Innovation is guided by simulation. Highlight human-computer interaction, inspire positive thinking and participation of users as much as possible, and arouse users' desire to learn and create.
(4)
Make Rational Use of recognition and re-recall to reduce the user's short-term memory burden. The so-called re-identification is to use the answer from several possible answers given by the System
Select a correct or best user. Recall that the user is required to enter the correct
Answer or keyword.
(5) considering the individual differences between users, use the user language.
　　
The above five points specifically reflect "easy and difficult, and gradually strengthen ." This is derived from the principles of cognitive psychology.

(3) -- interface structure and implementation

Interface settings
The first step is to design the task design result as input into a set of logic modules, and then add the access mechanism to organize these modules into the interface structure. The access mechanism can be hierarchical, network, or direct.
The type depends on the task structure and the design style. For example, a menu provides a hierarchical structure, and Icons can be directly accessed or layered, while a command language can provide a network or a direct access mechanism.
The second step is to divide each module into several steps, and each step is assembled into a refined Dialog design. This is the interface refined design (as shown in the refined design process ).
The interface design includes the following:
1.
Interface dialog Design
2. Data Input Interface Design
3. Screen Display Design
4. Control Interface Design

1. interface dialog Design
 
In the interface design, You must select the dialog style and add the user access and control mechanisms. The dialog is based on the task order.
But follow the following principles:

(1) Feedback
(Feed back): Tell the user what is being done at any time, especially when the response time is very long.
(2) Status: Tell the user what is in the system
To prevent the user from issuing correct syntax commands in the wrong environment.
(3) Escape: allows the user to stop an operation, and can leave the option to avoid user deadlock.
(4)
Default: If you can predict the answer, set the default value as much as possible to save your work.
(5) Simplify the dialog sequence as much as possible: Skip or code is used to reduce the number of user clicks.
(6)
Help: provide online help whenever possible.
(7) Restore (UNDO): When an error occurs in a user's operation, you can return and start again.

The above principles should be considered as much as possible in Dialog design. The Media Design dialog box has many standard formats for selection. In addition, conflict factors in the interface design should be compromised.

2. Data Input
Interface Design
 
The data input interface usually occupies most of the end user's usage time and is one of the most error-prone parts in computer systems. Its overall goal is to simplify users' work, minimize input error rates, and tolerate users.
Error.

These requirements can be implemented in a variety of ways:

(1) reduce user memory as much as possible and select from the list.

Set the default value for the commonly entered content; use the code and abbreviation; the system automatically fills in the content that the user has already entered.
(2) Make the interface predictable and consistent.

The user shall be able to control the data input sequence and make the operation clear, and adopt a data input interface in the same style as the system environment (such as Windows OS.
(3) prevent user errors.
 

In the design, confirm the input (only when the user presses the Key), move it explicitly (use the tab key or mouse to move the table), and clear the cancellation, the entered data is not deleted. The deletion must be performed again.
Confirm. For fatal errors, warn and exit. You do not have to stop providing suggestions for untrusted data input.
(4) Provide feedback.

To enable users to view the content they have entered and prompt for a valid input answer or value range.
(5) input and automatic formatting at user speed.

The user shall be able to control the data input speed and perform automatic formatting, and all spaces entered shall be accepted.
(6) Allow editing.

Ideally, you can edit the data in a consistent style after entering the data.

The data input interface can be implemented through Dialog design. If conditions are met, use automatic input whenever possible. In particular, image and sound input will develop rapidly in remote input and multimedia applications.

3.
Screen Display Design
The screen design mainly includes layout, message, and color. The following describes the layout:

(1) cloth
Bureau
Screen layout has different focus for different functions. The functional areas should be highlighted with obvious functions. No matter which function design, the screen layout should follow the following five principles:
　
① Balance principle. Pay attention to the balance between the top, bottom, and left of the screen. Do not pile up data, too crowded display will also produce visual fatigue and receive errors.
② Expectation principle. All objects on the screen, such as Windows
Buttons, menus, and other processing should be consistent so that the object's actions can be expected.
③ Economic principles. That is to say, while providing enough information, you must pay attention to the conciseness and conciseness. Especially for the media, make good use of the media to select the original
.
④ Sequence principle. The display order of objects should be arranged as needed. Generally, the dialog should appear first, and then the system is segmented through the dialog.
⑤ Normalization. The screen should be symmetric and show the life
Make, dialogue, and prompt lines as standardized as possible in the design of an application system.

In the screen layout, you also need to pay attention to some basic data settings.

(2) text and
Terms
In addition to being used as a body Display Media, texts and terms must be displayed when you design headers, titles, prompt information, control commands, sessions, and other functions. The design format and content of words and terms should be
Note:
① Note the conciseness of terms. Avoid using computer terminology; try to use a definite sentence instead of a negative sentence; Use the active voice instead of the passive voice; use courtesy but not too much emphasis
The statement is used for text sessions. For different users, the psychological principles should be used for terms; English words should be avoided for abbreviations as much as possible; in buttons, function keys should be marked with verbs that describe operations as much as possible; data input with keywords
Reduce the number of characters or use some encoding methods when the text is longer.
② Format. In the Screen Display Design, a screen
Do not have too many words. If you must have more words, try to group the pages and perform bold and font-changing operations on the keywords. However, try to unify the fonts of the same text. Use lowercase and easy-to-recognize words in addition to slogans
Body.
③ Information content. The display of information content should be concise and clear, and should also use simple sentences that are familiar to users. Do not scroll around the screen as far as possible. When there is a large amount of content, we should use blank segments or
Small Window blocks for memory and understanding. Important fields can be bold and blinking to attract attention and enhance the effect. The enhancement effect is diverse and can be selected based on the actual situation.

(3) color usage
　
Color allocation is also an important design for screen display. In addition to being an effective enhancement technology, color also has aesthetic value. Pay attention to the following points when using the color:
① Restrictions are displayed at the same time
Number of colors. Generally, the same screen should not exceed 4 or 5 types. Different layers and shapes can be used in combination with colors to increase the variation.
② The Color of the activity object should be clear, while that of the activity object should be dimmed. Object
The color should be as different as possible, the foreground color should be brighter, and the background should be dimmed.
③ Avoid incompatible colors, such as yellow and blue, red and green, unless used in comparison.
④ If
To use color to represent information or object attributes, you must understand this representation and try to use the standard representation.

In short, the screen display design should eventually achieve a pleasant display effect.
Guides users to notice the most important information, but does not contain too many conflicting stimuli.
 
4. Control Interface Design

Control session Design
Menu interface design
Merit
Energy key design
Icon design
Window Design
Direct operation interface
Command Language Interface Design

(4) -- Interface Design and Evaluation

 
Evaluation is an important component of the human-machine interface design. It should be carried out at the initial stage of the system design, or during the prototype period, so as to detect design defects as early as possible and avoid waste of manpower and material resources.

Set
The quality evaluation is usually measured by four basic requirements:
(1) is interface design conducive to the completion of user goals?
(2) Is it easy to learn and use the interface?
(3)
How efficient is the interface?
(4) What are potential design problems?

The overall design of the interface and the specific functional block design can be accurate to the various interface design mentioned above
Then perform a comprehensive test on the application objects. For details, see the interface evaluation example and analysis. The following items are provided for your reference:

(1) practicality. The measurement page is helping users
The satisfaction level of the task, which can only be obtained from the user survey table.
(2) validity. Metrics include error rate, task completion time, and utilization of various devices in the system.
(3) easy to learn
Habits. After the system starts to use it for a period of time, the error rate decreases, the task completion time decreases, the correct call to devices and commands, and the increased user knowledge are measured.
(4)
System devices and functions. If some devices or functions are not used by any user, the design may be incorrect.
(5) user satisfaction. Based on the degree of user satisfaction, the number of problems found and the use interest
Measurement.

The methods used for interface evaluation have been gradually transformed from traditional methods of intuitive experience to scientific and systematic methods. Traditional empirical methods include the following:

(1)
Experiment method. After determining the overall objectives of the experiment and the assumptions to be verified, the most reliable experimental method is to design random and repeated tests, and finally analyze and summarize the experimental results.
(2) monitoring methods. Out-of-the-box observation
User behavior. There are multiple observation methods, such as direct monitoring, video monitoring, and system monitoring. Generally, multiple methods are performed simultaneously during execution.
(3) investigation methods. This method can provide important data for evaluation.
Any stage of the design can be used. The survey method can be questionnaire or interview. However, it should be pointed out that the reliability and effectiveness of this method to obtain data is not as good as the experiment method and monitoring method.

　
Another difference from the empirical method is the formal method. This method is based on the interaction model between the user and the interface. It differs from the empirical method in that you do not need to directly test or observe the user's actual operations. The advantage is that
The interface is evaluated before detailed design and implementation. However, it is impossible to fully predict the situations reflected by users. Therefore, we currently use simple and reliable experience methods.

(5) -- interface evaluation examples and
Analysis

Whether the target expression is clear and accurate. Whether the expression is appropriate and whether the information is complete; the creative design of the media is novel, the layout of the interface structure and the screen structure is reasonable, and its operations
Simple and reasonable testing and analysis.

(6) Development of Man-Machine Interface

Human-Computer Interaction Interface Research has gone through two well-defined times: first
Generation is text-based interaction,
Such as menus, commands, and dialogs, which are difficult to use and inflexible. The second generation is the direct operation interface, which leads to a more natural visual communication interaction. The next generation is interactive multimedia integration, which requires a large number of languages, natural language
Speech and advanced graphics can also use other interactive media, such as human movements, gestures, and 3D images. However, the research of human-computer interaction interface has gone beyond psychology, and has entered the research of sociology, interface technology and multimedia technology,
Communication technology, especially suitable for artificial intelligence technology, is increasingly inseparable. The following is an introduction

1. Overview of man-machine interface development;
2. User Interface Management Program;
3.
Adaptive Human-Machine Interface;
4. Intelligent Interface Management System;
5. Standard description of dialog format;
6. Improvement of the interface system design method;
7. Man-Machine Interface summary.

Person
Machine interface development overview

1. Formation of man-machine interface field

Since the advent of computers, early users have been computer professionals.
In the field of work and life, computer users have changed, and non-computer users have become the subjects of users. This significant change has highlighted the availability of computers. The man-machine interface should be
What kind of information? How to build such an interface? People began to pay attention to and study these issues. These questions involve people as well as computers and related disciplines such as psychology and Human Factor learning.
Factors), sociology, linguistics, etc. With the development of computer technology and the widening of application fields, different theoretical methods have been introduced.
Since 1980s, the research on man-machine interfaces has never seen before, and the rapid popularization of micro-computers has played an important role in promoting this.

2. conferences and publications on man-machine interfaces

3.
Various theories and methods of human-machine interfaces are studied:

(1) analysis and evaluation techniques:
Theoretical and Empirical methods used to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of user interfaces, such as task analysis and
Language analysis, content analysis, and availability evaluation.
(2) design methodology:
Methods and technologies used to produce good user interface design, such as: Software psychology, environment factor design method, multiple parties
Tools and table-based methods involved in design and supporting the design process.
(3) development tools and methods:
Toolbox, User Interface Management System (UIMS), and quick
Quick prototyping and program design tools.
(4) Interaction methods and devices:
New strategies for using input/output devices and devices, including visual, sound, tactile, and posture communication modes
And integration of multiple modes.
(5) key user interface components:
Such as metaphor, user interface style, and intelligence
Interface Technology, cancellation, hypertext/hypermedia, and online help.
(6) user model:
It includes user behavior models, user inner models about the system, and user individual differences.
(7)
User Interface Design for specific applications:
User interface design that meets the specific constraints and requirements of certain application problems for human-computer interaction. Such as: Virtual Reality, intelligent tutoring system, information Inspection
Cable, Internet/WWW, CAD/CAM, expert system process control, decision support, etc.
(8) computer-aided collaborative work (cscms ):
About how
Research on effective group collaboration by using computer systems, including field observation research, theoretical model, and development and design of group user interfaces.
(9) laws and standards:
Usage
User Interface patents and copyrights, user interface standardization.

Most of these research directions are currently in a very active development stage, and they have a strong differentiation and mutual penetration tendency.
Some directions may even develop into relatively large research fields

User Interface Manager)

1. UIM
Introduction and formation
The User Interface Management Program is a software component with complete functions. It can replace all the functions of the user interface. Because most application software is used for interactive systems, and many software
The workload is to implement the user interface, so repeated programming is a waste of time and manpower. This leads to UIM.

2. UIM features
It can be applied in many ways and can be reused.
The interface module is responsible for all interface presentation and dialog management.

3. UIM Functions
It is responsible for all interface presentation and user management, and describes its mode:

　
A complete UIM solution is to provide interface components and management tools that can help programmers quickly construct interfaces and evaluate the Design During the prototype development cycle.

4. UIM simplicity
Development Tools

Screen descriptors and screen design tools.

Intelligent Interface Management System

1. Introduction:

The Smart interface is
A typical user interface management program [UIM. It is a fully functional software component that can replace all the functions of the Management User Interface. Only applications corresponding to job processing are excluded.

2.
Intelligent Interface Management System Design goals:
Interface modules that are applicable and reusable in many aspects, both with the user and with the application software.

3. Requirements of the Smart interface management system:
　
To be able to adapt to different types of application software, you can port data between different system environments without having to make real-time changes.

4. Research on Intelligent Management Systems:
Focus on how
Classify the application software from the interface and provide interface components and management tools to help the application staff quickly construct the interface and evaluate the interface design in prototype development.

5. Dialog
Normalization description

The formal specifications of dialogs indicate the necessity:

I. Interfaces designed with a formal system can enhance reliability.
Ii. Yes
Build interfaces with software modules to achieve reusability.

There are several forms and specifications:

1. Use Z language to describe the Interface Behavior
(Sufran, 1986 ).
2. Use path algebra (Alty, 1984) to describe the conversation sequence.
3. Algebra formal system description system interaction set
(Dix and Runciman, 1985 ).

The difference of the formal technology lies in their ability to express and flexibility, but the general purpose is to demonstrate to people that dialogs can
Limitation. For example, what you see is what you get
According to the generative engineering principle, gueps can be subdivided into causal statements and status checkpoints to describe how the interface works normally and how it does not work properly.
There are many problems facing the standardization of forms. The key lies in the content and forms, but they are still developing.

Development Direction of formal specifications:

Software engineering principles and Cognition
Problems are used for interaction, and a series of context-independent principles are derived to achieve Interface Engineering Design.

Improvement of Man-Machine Interface Design Method

Man-Machine Interface
Design is part of the system design process, so it must be integrated into modern system development methods. The current system development method pays too little or no attention to the interface design issues and users, so that user criticism continues.
Constantly. The common topic of interface design is to concern and intervene users. It aims to promote people's participation and role in system development.

User-centric design method:

　
1. Users participate in design-users should actively join the design process and enter the design group for joint decision-making.
2. user-centered design-the system design must be based on the user's needs
Be sure, but not driven by functional process requirements or hardware restrictions.
3. Iterative Design (prototype design)-the document on Human-Computer Interaction emphasizes that the prototype and its refinement cycle must be paid attention during the design process.
.

Man-machine interface evaluation is also an important research method:

(1) diagnosis and analysis-determine the poor features of the interface design;
(2) monitoring
-- Error rate, command usage frequency, and usage duration;
(3) Experiment Analysis-collect evaluation data.

Summary of man-machine interfaces

With
The rapid development of man-machine interfaces in computer capacity, network technology, graphics technology, multimedia technology, and new input and output devices will bring new features to the future man-machine interfaces:

　　
(1) interactions between people and computers become closer to interactions in the real world, it provides new capabilities to reduce the burden of human interaction and make greater use of natural skills gained from human evolution and experience.
Performance.

(2) Human-machine interfaces are increasingly characteristic of multi-mode high bandwidth. More people's feelings and expressions will be used to communicate with computer information, and even the most important
The direct triggering and test of human neural cells are used as the channel for interaction. Therefore, the differences between input and output devices become increasingly invisible.

(3) network technology, especially
The popularity of the Internet will allow computer users to have more group characteristics in the future, so as to have a great demand for the group user interface that adapts to the social organization and behavior patterns of people.

　
The next generation of human-machine interface design is an interactive integration method.
It uses a large number of speech, natural language, and advanced graphics, as well as other interactive media, such as eye movements, gestures, and gestures, you can also use 3D images to vividly guide interactions and tasks.

　
In short, future man-machine interface design poses many challenges to researchers and designers. Many companies in the information technology field have put forward requirements for professionals related to user interface development over the years.
To meet this requirement, the University has set up relevant subjects and even majors.