Selecting an option inside a menu depends on how far away that option is from the menu icon. Drop-down menus, megamenus, pie or radial menus, and marking menus arrange items in different patterns to optimize the reach time.
An enhancement is a user-interface feature that speeds up or enriches the interaction on some platforms for some users. Enhancements take advantage of special user or device capabilities and need to be backed up by more traditional ways of implementing the same interaction.
Although voice interaction is markedly different from graphical user interfaces, classic usability principles are still critical to the quality of the user experience.
Designs should align with common user behaviors like device inertia, momentum behavior, and selective attention rather than blaming users for perceived laziness.
Today, the products are beautiful, but for many of us, confusing. The fonts are pleasant to the eye, but difficult to read. The principle of "discoverability" has been lost. The only way to know what to do in many situations is to have memorized the action.
Many popular web-design trends originate in minimalism, a movement that aims to reduce information overload by presenting content in its simplest form.
Human memory studies can inform design so they help people remember passwords. This makes customers happy, saves money and time, and increases security.
Features meant to increase user efficiency by reducing steps can end up hurting users if they do not conform to existing mental models and expectations based on past experiences.
People often overlook new visual details added to an existing image. This affects the usability of many design elements, from error messages to navigation.
Events triggered via hover or click require distinct timing to avoid accidental activations and ensure that the user feels in control of the interface.
Moving elements are a powerful tool to attract users’ attention. When designing an animation consider its goal, its frequency of occurrence, and its mechanics.
Designing for all screen sizes must consider the human–device communication capacity, which depends on users’ memory, device portability, and screen size.
