The document summarizes 10 design heuristics for user interfaces: 1. Show system status to provide feedback on system processing and the user's place in the task workflow. 2. Use familiar metaphors and language to leverage users' prior knowledge and experience. 3. Provide user control and freedom by allowing easy reversal of actions and exploration of options. 4. Maintain consistency in design, layout, terminology, and behavior of similar elements. 5. Implement error prevention to eliminate error-prone conditions and catch mistakes.

1. DESIGN HEURISTICS
PART I
Scott Klemmer
www.hci-class.org

2. My somewhat revised names for Jacob Nielsen’s heuristics, http://www.useit.com/papers/heuristic
Ten Design Heuristics
• Show system status
• Familiar metaphors & language
• Control & freedom
• Consistency
• Error prevention
• Recognition over recall
• Flexibility & efficiency
• Aesthetic & minimalist design
• Recognize, diagnose, & recover
from errors
• Help

3. Show System
Status

4. Adobe Acrobat
Show:Time
• Feedback depends on response time
• <1s: just show outcome
• ~1s: feedback that activity is underway
• >>1s: Show fractional progress; time
4

5. Google Gmail
Show: Space

6. Apple TextEdit
Show: Change

7. Courtesy Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Modern_British_LED_Traffic_Light.jpg
Show:Action

8. Amazon
Show: Next steps

9. Handbrake
Show: Completion

10. Familiar Metaphors
& Language

11. Adobe Acrobat print dialog: Stanford Academic Calendar
Familiar Metaphors

12. Federal Student Aid Direct Loan Servicing
Familiar Language

13. CIBTVisa Application
Familiar Categories

14. BBEdit
Familiar Choices

15. User Control
& Freedom

16. ACM UIST 2009 Registration
Freedom to Undo

17. ITA Software
Freedom to Explore

18. Consistency
& Standards

19. MicrosoftVisual Basic
Consistent Layout

20. Verizon Support
Consistent Names

21. B&H Photo
Consistent Names

22. Adobe Acrobat license repair utility
Consistent Choices

23. Apple Mac OS X Finder
Clearer Choices...

24. Error Prevention

25. Adobe Lightroom
Prevent Data Loss

26. Mekentosj Papers
Prevent Clutter

27. Stanford Axess
Prevent Misinterpretation

28. Stanford GIN
Prevent Bad input

29. Stanford GIN
Prevent Bad input

30. Cengage
Prevent Unnecessary Constraints