|
Calculators are used by every student at one point in their lives. How many however consider their user interface design(s)? This article addresses user interface design concerning calculators and argues that the user is crucial in crafting user interface designs. First, user interface design will be defined, then the user interface designs of two different calculators will be addressed: the user interface design of a school calculator and the user interface design of a computer calculator. Brief User Interface Design definition For our purposes, user interface design relates to the “interface’s design” and how a user interacts with the object. Because he or she must “interact” with the “user” interface, this person is central in the user interface design process. (More detailed definitions can be found in books on user interface design.) School Calculator User Interface Design A school calculator’s user interface design includes buttons and numbers and the user interacts with them by pressing them to perform a mathematical task (e.g. addition). Such an interface design is familiar to us and can be operated with ease since the user interface design conforms to established conventions and incorporates a tactile requirement. These buttons may additionally be made larger for better visibility, or smaller to allow the user more options on a single button pallet. It could even have specific function keys for finance or for graphing purposes. Compare this with a computer calculator’s user interface design. Computer Calculator User Interface Design A computer calculator’s user interface design may have the same layout and buttons (e.g. “+” and “-” ) as the user interface design of a school calculator, but it is different than the user interface design of a school calculator in that it does not use the same senses. The user interface design of a computer calculator requires clicking the numbers instead of pressing them. One can argue that this user interface design also includes a tactile component, however clicking the same object for all the functions (or perhaps typing) is slightly different than pressing a different button for each task/function, if even in terms of quantity of movement. In addition, this user interface design requires prior knowledge of computers; almost a given in today’s society, but without which, the user interface design will be rendered virtually unusable. This illustrates that user interface designs must be considered carefully with the user(s) in mind. User Interface Design and the User Him/herself: In user interface design one must ask: “Who will use this product?” User interface designs for elderly people will look different than user interface designs for younger people. The determining factor in user interface designs can be influenced by the market (i.e. if the younger people buy the product, then the user interface design will probably conform to their preferences). Clearly, both user interface designs, have value, but the value of each interface design depends on the audience. For this reason, the user is key in “user” interface design. ================= About the Author: ================= Pidoco.com – Interface Design, Wireframe, Wireframes, Prototyping Software, Interface Design Software, Online Wireframe Tool, Wireframe Tool, UI Prototyping, Interface Prototyping, Clickable Wireframes, Usability Testing and Digital Paper Prototyping. User centered design for improved UI Design.
Related Articles -
interface design, wireframes, user interface design, UI design, interface design software, interface design tool, wireframe software, wireframe tool,
| 
