The Feedback Principle
The Feedback Principle informs users of actions and changes of state that has been altered by a direct command by the user.
Techniques: Consistency, Word your messages and labels effectively, Expect your users to make mistakes
Microsoft Word (as well as pretty much most, if not all editing software), prompts the user whether or not to save their document when it is first created or when a change has been made to the original. The dialogue box that appears provide a simple and concise question that allow the user to select one of three possible options.
The Tolerance Principle
The Tolerance Principle interprets and recommends reasonable actions when the user makes an error. This gives the user a chance to prevent and reduce mistakes made.
Techniques: Set standards, Explain the rules, Expect your users to make mistakes
When a searches something on Google with an incorrect spelling, Google automatically detects what the user meant. It allows users to navigate to the suggested correction. Google only recommends these corrections and does not automatically assume otherwise to allow the user more flexibility with their search results.
The Reuse Principle
The Reuse Principle goes consistency with purpose and function over just visual design. It keeps things simple and provides user with ease of use.
Techniques: Consistency, Your design should be intuitable, Group things effectively
Adobe products are all very similar and consistent in nature. The toolbar located at the top of each program are similar to each other in both form and function. The toolbar on the left-hand side of each product are also very similar, allowing users to easily transition between each program. Users are able to find things easier with this design and allow them be more productive as each one share visual similarity and hotkeys.
The Structure Principle
This principle suggests that any interface should be made with purpose. It should be organized in a way in which things that are similar are grouped and things that are not should be separate. The design should be recognizable and balanced.
Techniques: Consistency, Group Things Effectively, Set Standards
This is a screenshot of Microsoft Word for Mac, It shows how the main tool bar is placed above the document and is equally balanced from left to right. You will also notice that related tools are grouped together. There are also extra tabs at the top with more tools that relate.
The Simplicity Principle
This principle suggests that commonly tasks used tasks should be fairly easy to use and that longer tasks should have some sort of short cuts. The interface should communicate its contents to the user in a simple and clear manner.
Techniques: You Design Should Be Intuible, Don’t Create Busy Interfaces, Aligning Fields Effectively
This screen shot shows how different tasks have different shortcuts making the interface easier to use.
The Visibility Principle
This principle suggests that any items, tools or tasks should be clearly visible. The design should not distract or overwhelm the user with useless things information.
Techniques: Word Your Messages And Labels Effectively, Follow The Contrast Rule, Use Colour Appropriately, Follow The Contrast Rule
This screenshot shows how the tools in Word are labeled clearly and with contrast, making tasks and tools visible to the user’s eye. The black text on light grey background makes the text easier to read, while the labels are short and not misleading.
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