THE UNDERSTANDING OF UX PROCESSES AND HEURISTICS PART 2
Carrying off the first three heuristics as mentioned, There are two others that I would like to highlight. Part 2 of the article will focus on the Aesthetic and minimalist design heuristic, Helping Users recognize, diagnose, and recover from errors heuristics and the final Heuristic known as the Helping and Documentation of all problems once they occur. As designers we know we have an important role to play in supporting and improving the core spheres of human life like commerce, self-expression, education, and self-expression.
The first heuristic in this article being discussed Aesthetic and Minimalist Design Information that is unnecessary or infrequently used shouldn’t be present in interfaces. Each additional piece of information that is added to an interface competes with the pertinent pieces and reduces their relative visibility. This heuristic is not a requirement for using a flat design. It’s about ensuring that the content and visual design remain concentrated on the basics. Make sure the interface’s visual components assist the user’s main objectives. Focus the UI’s visual style and content on the essentials only. Keep extraneous items out of the way so people can focus on the information they need. Set the features and content in order to support the main objectives. This can be visualized below according to Design Heuristics LLC, 2012.
Some tips that can help you keep this heuristic at the forefront can include keeping the content and visual design of the UI focused on the essentials. Do not let unnecessary elements distract users from the information that they really need. Prioritize the content and features to support primary goals. Let’s take another example; An excessive number of decorative components, like an unpleasant handle or a difficult-to-clean nozzle, may limit the usability of an ornate teapot. The usability of the teapot is being compromised here actively. So, therefore, it is important to keep that in mind!
The second heuristic here is to help users recognize diagnose and recover from errors. Error messages should be written in simple English (i.e., without using error codes), accurately describe the issue, and constructively provide a remedy. In order for people to notice and understand these error notifications, they need also be presented visually. Additionally, these error messages must be visually enhanced so that people can see and understand them. Some tips in order to move this heuristic into your design you must be willing to include some of these tips. Use the standard aesthetics for error messages, such as bold, red lettering. Avoid using technical jargon instead and explain to users what went wrong. Provide users with a fix, such as a shortcut to fix the issue right away. An example of this usability Heuristic can be seen in warning signs of guard dogs within residential houses. These signs warn solicitors or persons loitering around the premises, it asks them to cease all activity warning them that a dog might cause physical harm if prompted by intruders.
The third heuristic is related to helping and documentation. What this means is the ideal situation is when the system is self-explanatory. To ensure that users are able to fulfill their jobs, though, documentation may be required. Content for help and documentation should be simple to look for and targeted toward the user’s task. List the specific actions that must be taken in a brief manner. Some tips to follow through with such a heuristic is through making the help documentation readily available. This means whenever possible, make sure that the context of the documentation is right. Laying out the right steps for help and guidance. An example of this usability heuristic can be seen at information kiosks at airports. They have a very specific help flow that takes you from start to finish for your airport needs. Moving towards the end..
Follow Google’s Material Design. It encompasses everything the heuristics mention. This is the ending of the three heuristics for this article. I’ll keep it sweet and short again. The ten heuristics that Jakob Nielsen speaks about. They have been applicable for over 26 years. So, use them according to your UX needs or read on through these principles.
