Interaction Design 02

Vocabulary Definitions:

Cost Benefit

This is a term used to analyze the quality of an interface design from a user perspective. It weighs the benefits of interacting with something with the costs. How long of a walk is too long? How much reading is too much? Cost benefit analysis should be done by users (in focus groups or usability studies), not by designers in the ideation phase.

Iteration

The cyclical process of knowledge and experience informing subsequent steps of the design and development process. Design iterations result in higher fidelity prototypes and involve user interaction at every stage. Development iteration involves reworking a design idea, and isn’t ideal in the design process.

Satisficing

Deciding on a design approach that roughly satisfies the requirements, as opposed to working to find the optimal solution. This is normally required when there is a problem containing multiple unknowns and varying variables. A satisficer determines the balance between design requirements and user value perceptions.

Uncertainty Principle

The act of measuring sensitive variables in any system can alter them and ruin the accuracy of the measurement. The sensitivity of a quality should be inversely proportional to the invasiveness of the tactic used to measure it. Example: standardized testing making students stressed and negatively affecting test results.