Who Has 12 Commandments

When you hear the term "commandments," your mind might wander to various sources, including well-known religious texts, but in this post, we're diving into something a bit more modern and unexpected. Moses didn't pass these down, nor did they come from the divine Mount Sinai. Instead, we're talking about the 12 Commandments of Interaction Design, a set of principles brought to the world by Don Norman and Jakob Nielsen. Here, we'll explore these commandments, providing insight into how they shape our digital experiences and offering practical examples along the way.

What Are the 12 Commandments of Interaction Design?

The 12 Commandments of Interaction Design were introduced by Don Norman, a pioneer in user-centered design, and Jakob Nielsen, a renowned usability expert. These commandments are not religious in nature but rather serve as a guideline for designing user-friendly systems and interfaces:

1. Visibility - Users should be able to see what functions are available.

   • Example: A web app where icons for different features like search, home, and settings are prominently displayed.

2. Feedback - The system should always keep users informed about what is going on.

   • Example: When a user submits a form, a message or animation should indicate that the form has been submitted successfully or what's happening.

3. Constraints - Limiting the set of possible actions can prevent errors.

   • Example: Graying out unavailable options in a dropdown menu.

4. Consistency - Users should not have to wonder whether different words, situations, or actions mean the same thing.

   • Example: If the word "post" is used for publishing an article on one screen, it should be used consistently throughout the application.

5. Mapping - There should be a natural relationship between controls and their effects.

   • Example: In a video game, the right arrow key should naturally move the character to the right.

6. Affordance - An object should provide clear clues about how to interact with it.

   • Example: A button looks clickable; sliders suggest dragging.

7. Discoverability - The system should be easily understood and navigated.

   • Example: Tooltips that appear when hovering over icons or links.

8. Error Prevention - Care should be taken to prevent problems from occurring in the first place.

   • Example: Using dropdown menus instead of open text fields for selecting date of birth, to prevent incorrect entry.

9. Error Recovery - When errors do occur, the system should offer simple, constructive, and specific instructions for recovery.

   • Example: When a password is incorrect, suggesting common issues like Caps Lock on or prompting for a reset.

10. Mental Models - The system should match the user's expectations or mental models.

    • Example: An e-commerce site that follows a checkout process similar to other familiar online shopping platforms.

11. User Control - Users feel in control and not at the mercy of the system.

    • Example: Offering an "undo" option for accidental deletions.

12. Anticipation - The system should anticipate the needs of the user and offer help accordingly.

    • Example: Auto-filling form fields based on user history or suggesting common searches.

Understanding These Commandments in Practice

Visibility

Visibility in interface design means making sure that users can see and recognize interactive elements without having to look hard for them.

<p class="pro-note">🔍 Pro Tip: Use visual hierarchy to guide users to primary functions or actions, making them more visible and accessible.</p>

Feedback

Feedback is crucial for user confidence. Users should always know that the system has received their input and is processing it.

• Tip: Use visual or auditory feedback like button animations, sounds, or progress bars.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overloading Users with Information: Don't clutter the interface with too many options or information. Users can feel overwhelmed, leading to poor usability.
• Ignoring User Context: Failing to consider the user's background, goals, or environment can result in interfaces that are either too simplistic or overly complex.
• Inconsistent Design: Lack of consistency can confuse users, making it hard for them to learn and navigate through the application.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Check for Inconsistencies: If users are reporting confusion, review your design for consistent terminology, iconography, and interaction patterns.
• User Testing: Conduct regular user testing sessions to identify feedback issues or lack of visibility.

Conclusion

To wrap things up, the 12 Commandments of Interaction Design are not just guidelines; they are the foundation for creating user-friendly, intuitive, and efficient systems. By keeping these commandments in mind, designers and developers can ensure that their products meet and exceed user expectations, providing not only a functional but also a delightful experience. The commandments encourage empathy, clarity, and ease of use, which are key in our digital-centric lives.

Explore further into interaction design with tutorials on these principles, and remember:

<p class="pro-note">🔍 Pro Tip: Always design with the user at the forefront, understanding their needs and limitations, to create interfaces that feel almost invisible to use.</p>

<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Who are Don Norman and Jakob Nielsen?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Don Norman is widely recognized as the originator of user-centered design, and Jakob Nielsen is an authority in the field of usability, both contributing significantly to interaction design principles.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>How do these commandments apply to mobile apps?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>The principles are universal but have special importance in mobile design due to smaller screen size and touch-based interactions. For instance, ensuring visibility is critical when thumb reach is limited.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Can these commandments be applied to physical product design?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Yes, although originally for digital interfaces, principles like visibility, feedback, and affordance are very applicable to physical product design for better user interaction.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>