How to Design Usable GUIs
(Video Course)

Course Length: 2 1 hour tapes

Key Objectives

• Identify the specific ways that graphical technology can improve their users' speed, accuracy, satisfaction, and reduce training needs.
• Identify the design challengers in creating a usable GUI.
• Avoid the 157 GUI design errors that are most detrimental to interface usability.

Course Overview

Tape 1
Learn the real advantages and pitfalls of graphical interfaces. GUI tools are new, flashy, and attractive. However, the inappropriate use of these tools can actually degrade user productivity. Tape 1 describes the tools, indicates when to use each, and gives key design recommendations.

Tape 2
A usable GUI requires the correct high-level user interface structure. Select and develop it according to the users' needs and work flow. Word processor, spreadsheet, and application generator structures are often clumsy for corporate systems. Good structure accounts for 80% of usability. Reach complete success with good, detailed design.

Audience

This course is designed for system developers, system development managers, user representatives, and user interface design specialists.

Prerequisite

• Familiarity with computer- based business systems (may be text-based)

• Familiarity with typical corporate business needs

Course Content

Tape 1

WIMP Interfaces

• Windows
• Icons
• Mice
• Pull-downs

Mental Model Creation

• Metaphor
• Direct Manipulation
• Drag-and-Drop
• Animation
• Spatial Storage
• Presentation Graphics
• Object-Action

Hardware and Software Capabilities

• Large Screens
• High Speed Processors
• Complex Sound
• Color
• Keyboard Control
• Widget and Object-Oriented Programming Strategies

Tape 2

Structures/Metaphors

Widgets

Design Skills- Layout, Color, Wording

Standards