UNIT 6

1. Constraint Principle

Constraint principle is about the limitation of an object. If an object follows the constraint principle, the user won’t have difficulties in assembling the object even though they have no previous knowledge about it. There are four different classes of constraints which are physical, semantic, cultural and logical constraint.

a) Physical Constraint

(The picture above was taken from one of the group member)

The example for physical constraint is a plug. The plug can only be connected to the fuse in one direction because of the limitation of its shape.

b) Semantic Constraint

(The picture above was taken from one of the group member)

Next, the example for semantic constraint is a laptop. Semantic constraint means that in order to execute an action, the user must have knowledge and know the significance of the conditions. In this example, the screen of the laptop can only be open and facing one direction. Thus, the person behind the laptop can see the back cover of the screen but not the LED screen of the laptop.

c) Cultural constraint

(The picture above was taken from one of the group member)

For the cultural constraint, each culture has its own identity. Therefore in different countries, the design of an object or items might be different from one another. The driver seat in a car is one of the examples that can be used to describe the cultural difference. In Malaysia, the driver's car seat is on the right side of the car, while in the United States or European countries, the driver's car seat is on the left side of the car.

d) Logical constraint

Logical constraint related with the natural mappings. It is a relationship between the functional structure and the object that been changed. Our example is a kitchen stove with two knobs. The left knob is to light up the left burner and the right knob is to light up the right burner. The knobs respond to its respective burners. This means that the functional structure of the stove match with the burners.

2. Cost Benefit

          (The picture above was taken from the official website of maybank2u.com.my)

Cost benefits related to financial returns offer to customer who uses the service. For example, maybank2u attract user to use its services by promoting a contest. The user can win prizes by transact using maybank2u. Furthermore, the contest announcement was place at the main page of maybank2u website. It is design that way so it can attract the user attention. 

3. Visibility

(The picture above was taken from the house of one of the group member)

Visibility means that a specific part on an object should be noticeable and detectable to the user to execute an action. This principle is very important because the user could differentiate between different parts of an object and the result of expected actions. The example that we have choose for this principle is a rice cooker. This is because, there is only one switch on this rice cooker and there is a light with label warm and cook. When the users want to cook rice, they will need to press down the switch and the light with label cook will light up. The visibility of the action of the switch and the light proves that this example follow the visibility principle perfectly.

4. Progressive Disclosure

(The picture was a screen capture image taken from an iPad by one of the group member)

Progressive disclosure is an interaction design use to limit the information shown to the user to minimize perplexity and reduce cognitive workload. This is an important principle as it enhances functionality of the items. Our example for progressive disclosure is the safari browser setting in iPad. In the picture, we can see that there is only certain options display. If the users wish to see more options related, they need to press the arrow place on the side of the respective option where they will then be presented with more options in a second window.

5. Iconic Representation

Iconic is meaning relating to or having the characteristics on an icon. Referring to the pictures, it is means the connection between of the pictures and how it relates to our mind. For example, the picture of “Lapangan Terbang” and the arrow to the right sides means to our mind that an airport is not too far from us and only at the right side or the right way.

Iconic representations are very useful ways to simplify, conserving display and control areas and reduce cognitive load to makes signs and symbols easier and simpler to understand across cultures. When you need to represent something simple and concrete then consider similar icons, but for more complex representations example icons may be more effective.

6. Wayfinding

Wayfinding can be defined as spatial problem solving. It is about knowing where you are in a building or an environment, knowing where your desired location is, and knowing how to get there from your present location.

Main Reference

Lidwell, W., Holden, K., & Butler, J., (2003). Universal principles of design: a cross-displinary reference. Massachusetts: Rockport Publisher.