Users desire web application interfaces to be intuitive Building an intuitive interface requires: Understanding the users' current knowledge Reducing the required target knowledge An iterative design process with the proper feedback loop
Tool Knowledge: what users know about how to use your app Domain Knowledge: what users know about the domain(s) related to that tool Some apps have more than one domain
Tax-specific terminology such as 'dependents' and 'exemptions' What qualifies as a deduction? How do you share expenses with a divorced spouse? Domain Knowledge
Making an Application Intuitive Must satisfy one of two conditions:
www.uie.com
Either current knowledge and target knowledge are the same, OR Users don't notice they are bridging the gap
Current knowledge and target knowledge must be close together Taking advantage of convention leverages current knowledge Simplifying the interface reduces target knowledge
You need to understand your users' current knowledge Focus on reducing the target knowledge Only possible with an iterative design process with the proper feedback loop AJAX, RIAs, and other new technologies will make things easier Slides 35-36
