Projects/Usability/HIG
Structure
Conceptual Model
The conceptual model is the most fundamental aspect of the interface, describing the relationship between the interface and the outside world. The purpose of the conceptual model is to draw on the user’s past experiences so they can readily understand basic operations and accurately predict functionality.
- Real World, Vision
Task Flow
The task flow is concerned with the manner in which users’ complete specific operations with the system. In contrast to the conceptual model, the task flow is largely dependent on the product’s technical environment.
- Core usability goals, Use cases / User requirements, Task aggregation
- Personas, Scenarios, Usability criteria, Feature list
Organizational Model
The organizational model describes how the system’s content and functionality are ordered and categorized. Also known as the information architecture, the organizational model encompasses both the classification scheme as well as the model of association, hierarchy versus index for example.
- Terminology
- Information architecture, Interface management, Window style, Basic arrangement, Screen design, Design Pattern
- central configuration (content tbd.)
- Notification mechanism (content tbd.)
- Minimize to tray (perhaps at behaviour>navigation)
Behaviour
The Viewing and Navigation layer encompasses the wide variety of behaviors and operations that allow users to navigate the interface and effect its presentation.
- Dialogs
- Accordion
- Tabs and Pages in Dialogs
- Toolbar
- Status bar
- Paging
Access functions
Grouping
- Group box, Panel
- Splitter
Complex views
- List Views
- Tree view
- Grids
Editing and Manipulation
The Editing and Manipulation layer contains the behaviors that result in permanent changes to user’s stored information. … Behaviors in this layer can often be recognized by the following traits: they result in permanent, stored changes; they require an implicit or explicit save operation; and they typically require validation of the input data.
Selection
- Use a radio button for 1 of a few n selections.
- Use one or more check boxes for clear options or n of a few m selections.
- Use a list view for one or a few n of some m selections.
- Use a drop-down list for 1 of some n selection and a combo box if users should be able to add items.
- Use the dual list pattern for n of m selections.
Unconstrained input
- text input, lineedit, textedit
- Lists with direct input
- Complex views with direct input (Grid cell editing)
Constrained input
- Numeric input within a range and with fix steps * (Spin Box)
- Arbitrary changes within a range for immediate feedback * (Slider)
- Numeric input with both large changes and precise control * (Slider and Spin Box)
- Date- and Time-Picker
User Assistance
Interface elements that inform users of the application’s activity and status, as well as elements dedicated to user education, are all contained in the User Assistance layer. This includes online help, error alerts, and status alerts.
User-driven information
- Tool-tip
System triggered notification
- Balloon
- Notification is a system-triggered message used to acknowledge about events out of the current context.
- Progress indicator
Disruptive messages
Help system
- KDE Help
Presentation
Layout
The various design decisions governing the placement and ordering of onscreen elements are expressed in the Layout layer. In addition to providing an ordered visual flow, the Layout layer also supports the Behavior tier by arranging elements in a manner that helps communicate behavior, importance, and usage.
- Resizing
- Default and minimal size
- Spacing
- Alignment & Placement
- Color
- Icons
Style
Like many forms of visual design, the Style layer is concerned with emotion, tone, and visual vocabulary. Because it is the most visible and concrete aspect of an interface, it typically accounts for people’s first impression of a product. Paradoxically however, the ultimate effect of style on overall usability or user satisfaction is minimal.
Text
Contained within the Text layer are all the written, language-based elements of the interface. This includes the labels used to represent the organizational model, the names of the input and navigational controls contained in the Viewing and Navigation layer, and the alert messages and help text used by the User Assistance layer.
- Language localizations
- Static text
- Control Labels
- Wording
- Ellipsis
- Capitalization
- Contractions (don't, there's, etc.)
- Exclamation Points
See also:
Contributing
Didn't find what you were looking for?
Our Human Interface Guidelines are a work in progress and we need your help. If you found an area that was unclear or is not even covered in our HIG, tell us about it. You'll find everything you need on our mailing list: [email protected] or in our little tutorial.
Index
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Please add any guidelines questions or requests to the HIG Questions page.
Also see the KDE3 User Interface Guidelines and KDE User Interface Guidelines and the Season of Usability HIG & Design Patterns Workspace.