User Interface Options Design Goals

Owned by Gary Thompson
Last updated: Oct 13, 2008Version comment

  1. Allow users to specify presentation of content:
    1. easily and efficiently
    2. with enough options to accommodate the spectrum of user preference
    3. without overwhelming the user with options

  1. Minimize the user's selection load:
    1. by providing designed templates that address common needs so the user doesn't have to figure out the configuration for that preference
    2. by providing designed templates so the user doesn't have to figure out a good design by trial and error
    3. by giving the user a live preview so they can see a sample of the results prior to application
  2. Allow users to try preferences in a safe environment
    1. by giving the user a live preview so they can see a sample of the results prior to application
    2. by providing a means to dump all preference selections and start over
    3. by providing a means to leave the selection of preferences at any time without application to system content
    4. by making the application of preferences to system content an explicit action
  3. Assist users in easily stripping off applied personal preferences and returning to the default
  4. Create an interface for selecting preferences that is easily and efficiently navigable using the keyboard and screen readers