MIS 3360 Ch 11 Designing Interfaces and Dialogues

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interface design

focuses on how information is provided to and captured from users

dialogue design

focuses on the sequencing of interface displays

dialogues

analogous to a conversation between two people

designing interfaces and dialogues

-user-focused activity

-prototyping methodology of iteratively: 

collecting information, constructing a prototype, assessing usability, making refinements

-must answer the who, what, when, where, and how questions used to guide the design of forms and reports

deliverables

1. narrative overview

2. sample design

3. testing and usability assessment

4. dialogue sequence

dialogue sequence

the ways a user can move from one display to another

interface

method by which users interact with an information system

methods of interacting

command language, menu, form, object, and natural language

command language interaction

human-computer interaction method whereby users enter explicit statements into a system to invoke operations

very good for experienced users, systems with a limited command set, rapid interaction with the system, and keyboard shortcuts

menu interaction

human-computer interaction method in which a list of system options is provided and a specific command is invoked by user selection of a menu option

-can differ in design and complexity, larger systems might use hierarchies providing navigation

pop-up menu

menu-positioning method that places a menu near the current cursor position

-also called a dialogue box

-users don’t have to move their position or eyes to view system options

drop-down menu

menu-positioning method that places the access point of the menu near the top line of the display; when accessed, menus open by dropping down onto the display

form interaction

highly intuitive human-computer interaction method whereby data fields are formatted in a manner similar to paper-based forms

-allows users to fill in the blanks when working with a system

object-based interaction

human-computer interaction method in which symbols are used to represent commands or functions

icons

graphical picture that represents specific functions within a system

natural language interaction

human-computer interaction method whereby inputs to and outputs from a computer-based application are in a conventional spoken language such as English

designing layouts

should use standard forms for forms/reports

typical paper-based form has several common general areas such as: header information, totals or data summary, comments, body or data details

form interaction

formatted data fields similar to paper forms

dialogue sequence

first step in dialogue design

modality

users must resolve request before continuing