Interface Design: a semiotic paradigm (Nadin) Edgar Kenji Tanaka

Description This presentation discusses the main topics in the article Interface design: a semiotic paradigm written by Mihai Nadin in 1988

This presentation discusses the main topics in the article Interface design: a semiotic paradigm written by Mihai Nadin in 1988

What is design? To design means to structure systems of signs in such a way as to make possible the achievement of human goals: Communication Business Engineering

To design means to structure systems of signs in such a way as to make possible the achievement of human goals:

Communication

Business

Engineering

Saussure vs Peirce Nadin argues that Peircean sign model is more appropriate to interface design because: Undelying principles of computers are logical Design activities are not reducible to the model of verbal language

Nadin argues that Peircean sign model is more appropriate to interface design because:

Undelying principles of computers are logical

Design activities are not reducible to the model of verbal language

Peircean sign model

Types of signs

Programing is creative Programming while a very rigorous activity, allows for creative algorithms and creative interpretations of algorithms

Programming while a very rigorous activity, allows for creative algorithms and creative interpretations of algorithms

Semiotic viewpoint Computer interface represents a complex sign system, a language

Computer interface represents a complex sign system, a language

The pragmatics result from the functions made available (word processing, listing, ledger The rules of usage define the grammar of the interface language The final result that the designer and user look for is meaning (not logic true or false)

The pragmatics result from the functions made available (word processing, listing, ledger

The rules of usage define the grammar of the interface language

The final result that the designer and user look for is meaning (not logic true or false)

Define low leve protocol Define the interface sign and its elements An office is the unity of environment, tools, activities and supplies

Define the interface sign and its elements

An office is the unity of environment, tools, activities and supplies

Define the type of representation Iconic Symbolic Indexical Define the type of command Postfix – first the object then the operation Infix – sequential paradigm (natural language) Prefix – first the operation then the object

Define the type of representation

Iconic

Symbolic

Indexical

Define the type of command

Postfix – first the object then the operation

Infix – sequential paradigm (natural language)

Prefix – first the operation then the object

Interpretation Amount of signs influences the time required to process (thought processes) Type of signs affects the kind of processes

Amount of signs influences the time required to process (thought processes)

Type of signs affects the kind of processes

Prefix Prefix command is governed by a repressive regime User needs to remember exact form of a set of commands Example: command line interface No interpretation of a repertory of signs but rules governing sign operations

Prefix command is governed by a repressive regime

User needs to remember exact form of a set of commands

Example: command line interface

No interpretation of a repertory of signs but rules governing sign operations

Postfix Editor makes available only actions that may be taken at the system´s current state Use of filters It´s uninformative and gives no clues to what influences a certain format

Editor makes available only actions that may be taken at the system´s current state

Use of filters

It´s uninformative and gives no clues to what influences a certain format

Interface issues are issues of interpretation The pragmatics of a sign is context sensitive There is no such thing as man-machine communication, this is a way of speaking, a way of antropomorphizing machines Communication is the semiotic activity that brings designer and user together

Interface issues are issues of interpretation

The pragmatics of a sign is context sensitive

There is no such thing as man-machine communication, this is a way of speaking, a way of antropomorphizing machines

Communication is the semiotic activity that brings designer and user together

Interface language Interface language should use Concrete representations of objects and storage Operation representations that relate directly to actions Concreteness and directness must be expressed as clearly as possible

Interface language should use

Concrete representations of objects and storage

Operation representations that relate directly to actions

Concreteness and directness must be expressed as clearly as possible

Esthetic and culture While esthetic and functional criteria are difficult to codify, they are part of the interface Esthetic, functional acceptability and cultural adequacy are becoming ever more critical qualities

While esthetic and functional criteria are difficult to codify, they are part of the interface

Esthetic, functional acceptability and cultural adequacy are becoming ever more critical qualities