MSc-IT Study Material
June 2010 Edition

Computer Science Department, University of Cape Town
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Chapter 6. Design Guides

Table of Contents

Context
Objectives
Introduction
Standards vs Guidelines
Design Guides
Design Principles
Learnability
Flexibility
Robustness
Activities & Review Questions
Activity 1 - Consistency for data display interface design
Activity 2 - Importance of producing standards for interface design
Activity 3 - Design principles and rules
Activity 4 - House style guides - corporate style guides
Activity 5 -User interface design principles
Activity 6 - User preemptive dialog
Activity 7 - Customisability
Review Questions
Discussion Topics
Answers and Discussions
Discussion of Activity 1
Discussion of Activity 2
Discussion of Activity 3
Discussion of Activity 4
Discussion of Activity 5
Discussion of Activity 6
Discussion of Activity 7
Answer to Review Question 1
Answer to Review Question 2
Answer to Review Question 3
Answer to Review Question 4
Answer to Review Question 5
Answer to Review Question 6
Answer to Review Question 7

Context

In the previous two units we looked at aspects of cognitive psychology and how such knowledge can be used to build more effective computer systems. Researchers and practitioners have formalised the sorts of observation we made into various types of design guides. You will look at the different types of guide and the role they play. The main focus of the unit will be a review and discussion of principles than can be followed to improve a system's' learnability, flexibility and robustness.