COEN277 GUI Design and Programming .pptVIP

Copyright D. Petkovic Software EngineeringCSc640/848Fall 2006Usability Testing Prof. Dragutin Petkovic Important Human Characteristics related to GUI: Memory Miller, 1995 Sensory memory: buffer that stores sensory input. Forgotten easily Short-term memory: holds limited amount of data for several minutes. Experiments showed that is holds up to seven concepts Long term memory: large storage capacity, but can be unreliable Important Human Characteristics related to GUI: Memory Recall: getting information from long term memory. It is hard Recognition: selecting from multiple choice or recognizing a pattern. Easier ? Leverage speed of short-term memory by proper graphics and layout Use pull down menus to “remind” people and help access long term memory Important Human Characteristics related to GUI: Information processing High level Identified with conscious thinking Slow, sequential, logical Used for reading and understanding Low-level Rapid information processing, “pattern processing” Without conscious effort Look vs. seeing it, perceive vs. read If you know the screen you simply verify it fast, easy . If you are novice, you read it much slower ? leverage this by proper screen design, make it easily recognizable and distinct, reduce clutter and ambiguity Important Human Characteristics related to GUI: Vision Visual acuity: capacity to resolve details Foveal and peripheral vision Relative acuity is halved at 2.5 degrees from the center ? influences character spacing on the screen etc. Eyes jitter this increasing accuracy . However: Some patters on the screen can seem jittery ? Care has to be taken in designing patterns so as not to cause jitter and visual distraction Busy periphery can distract main foveal vision ? implications on screen design Acuity drops with age ? Font type contrast and size to be adjusted for older users. Same for URLs Important Human Characteristics related to GUI: Mental models Users have mental models of everyday things as well as