How We Can Assist You With User Interface Design...

Interface Analysis / Usernomics can help your company to design an intuitive user interface.

The Need for User Interface Design

User Interface Design is often associated with software interfaces and is frequently referred to as Human-Computer Interface or HCI. However, User Interface Design must be considered wherever users interact with controls or displays. The application of interface design is pervasive, including products such as: a simple watch, a DVD player, an aircraft cockpit, a software program, a phone touch screen application, etc.

In many cases, a product with good functionality is not readily accepted because it is not easy or efficient to use. A product's front-end user interface design also impacts the usability, acceptance, and marketability of a product. A good user interface design increases the intuitiveness, efficiency, and comfort level with a product, which translates into product acceptance and use. For a product to be successful, you need both good functionality/technology and a usable and intuitive user interface (UI).

Our Role & Expertise

While product engineers focus on technology, we focus on the end-user. Our User Interface methodology is user-centered with an emphasis on a systematic methodology for creating products that are easy to learn, easy to use, effective, intuitive, marketable and aesthetically pleasing. We work with design engineers to integrate our User Interface Design into the overall product design for greater efficiency. Our role is to merge technology with the creation of usable software, hardware, and systems.

User-Centered Design Approach

We apply a rigorous and systematic technique when applying User Interface Design to a wide range of products. In undertaking a user interface design project, we take a multi-phase approach, typically consisting of the following:

1. Product and User Objectives - In this phase we learn about the product functions and objectives, and assist the client in defining the user experience they want to support. We then use this information to identify the interface required to support that experience. In addition, we learn about the user demographics and personas, and software (and hardware) design/coding constraints.
2. Heuristic Evaluation - In the second phase we conduct an expert heuristic evaluation, whereby 2 - 3 IAA usability experts work together to analyze the various dimensions of the product (or prototype) user interface, and previously-used products with similar functionality. The evaluation is based on proven human factors guidelines and principles, and our combined experiences in designing and evaluating user interfaces.
3. Interface Architecture - In this phase we develop the interface skeleton, or architecture, that runs through and supports the entire user interface. Here we focus on function grouping, menu layout and design, screen layout, etc. After developing the UI architecture, we review it with the client and make any necessary modifications.
4. Design - During this phase we take the results of our earlier work, and apply principles of usability design to develop and justify the user interface at a function-by-function, screen-by-screen level. Because our focus is on the organization, layout and behavior of the interface, the deliverable at conclusion of this phase is -- along with the Interface Architecture -- a set of medium-fidelity screen images that together facilitate coding, if not the final look-and-feel.

Project Assistance

Please contact us if you would like further information or wish to discuss our consulting services.