Website Critique
Name: [ Crispin Misquita ] [ ] [ ]
Course: BSA/375 - FUNDAMENTALS OF BUSINESS SYSTEMS
DEVELOPMENT
Date: 09/26/2011
Instructor: KEN MURPHY

Manage to focus users’ attention

As web-sites provide both static and dynamic content, some aspects of the user interface attract attention more than others do. Obviously, images are more eye-catching than the text — just as the sentences marked as bold are more attractive than plain text.
The human eye is a highly non-linear device, and web-users can instantly recognize edges, patterns and motions. This is why video-based advertisements are extremely annoying and distracting, but from the marketing perspective they perfectly do the job of capturing users’ attention.
Humanized.com perfectly uses the principle of focus. The only element which is directly visible to the users is the word “free” which works attractive and appealing, but still calm and purely informative. Subtle hints provide users with enough information of how to find more about the “free” product.

Focusing users’ attention to specific areas of the site with a moderate use of visual elements can help your visitors to get from point A to point B without thinking of how it actually is supposed to be done. The less question marks visitors have, the better sense of orientation they have and the more trust they can develop towards the company the site represents. In other words: the less thinking needs to happen behind the scenes, the better is the user experience which is the aim of usability in the first place.
Which of the six design principles do you see being utilized in this website? Provide examples.
Ans:-
This website uses the below design principles:-
Layout:-
The interface contains a series of areas on the screen that are used consistently for different purposes; for example, a top area for commands and navigation, a middle area for information to input or output, and a bottom area for status information.
Content awareness:-
Website is aware of where they are in the systems and of the information being displayed.
Aesthetics:-
This website Interface is functional and inviting to users through careful use of white space, colors, and fonts. This often involves a trade-off between including enough white space to make the interface look pleasing and losing so much space that important information does not fit on the screen.
User experience:-
Although ease of use and ease of learning often lead to similar designs, a trade-off sometimes occurs between the two. Novice or infrequent software users may prefer ease of learning, whereas frequent users may prefer ease of use.
Consistency:-
It is Consistency in interface design enables users to predict what will happen when they perform a function. It is one of the most important elements in ease of learning. ease of use, and aesthetics.
Minimize:-
The interface should be simple to use. Most designers plan to require users to perform no more than three mouse clicks from the starting menu to perform work.

What are some changes that could be made to the design of the website to better incorporate the six design principles?
Ans:-
Navigation between major user interface items is important. If it is difficult to get from one screen to another, through which users will quickly become frustrated and give up. When the flow between screens matches the flow of the work the user is trying to accomplish, then application will make sense to users. Because different users work in different ways, so the system needs to be flexible enough to support their various approaches. User interface-flow diagrams should optionally be developed to further understanding of the flow of your user interface.
Navigation within a screen is important. In Western societies, people read left to right and top to bottom. Because people are used to this, design screens that are also organized left to right and top to bottom when designing a user interface for people from this culture? Organize navigation between widgets on screen in a manner users will find familiar to them.
Word your messages and labels effectively. The text display on screens is a primary source of information for users. If text is worded poorly, then interface will be perceived poorly by users. Using full words and sentences, as opposed to abbreviations and codes, makes text easier to understand. Messages should be worded positively, imply that the user is in control, and provide insight into how to use the application properly. For example, which message do we find more appealing “You have input the wrong information” or “An account number should be eight digits in length.” Furthermore, messages should be worded consistently and displayed in a consistent place on the screen. Although the messages “The person’s first name must be input” and “An account number should be input” are separately worded well, together they are inconsistent. In light of the first message, a better wording of the second message would be “The account number must be input” to make the two messages consistent. Do you think this website does a good job following the six design principles? Why or why not?
Ans:
Yes I think this website does a good job following the six design principles. Because the user interface of an application will often make or break it. Although the functionality that an application provides to users is important, the way in which it provides that functionality is just as important. An application that is difficult to use won’t be used. It won’t matter how technically superior your software is or what functionality it provides, if your users don’t like it they simply won’t use it. Don’t underestimate the value of user interface design nor of usability.

Effective developers find ways to work closely with their stakeholders. I'm a firm believer in the AM practice Active Stakeholder Participation where your stakeholders do much of the business-related modeling using inclusive modeling techniques. Furthermore, they should be involved with your user interface prototyping efforts as well.

References:-

University of Phoenix, (2011, September 26). Principles of User Interface Design. Retrieved from https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/IST/BSA375/Principles%20of%20User%20Interface%20Design%20-%20Engage%20output/engage.html
A Summary of Principles for User-Interface Design, (2011, September 26) Retrieved from https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/IST/BSA375/Principles%20of%20User%20Interface%20Design%20-%20Engage%20output/engage.html