Direct manipulations violations: physical
The concept of the direct manipulation allows the user to interact with a system in a natural way avoiding additional intermediates destined to translate human ideas into machine commands.
In-car control for air conditioning might be an example of direct manipulation violation. Historically automotive AC controlled by analog dial placed on the car dashboard, modern solutions imply digital controls on some kind of a touch display. In both cases violated principle of the direct manipulation since do not provide the user with mapping, which means solution require additional clues to tell about control purpose without its actual using.
A possible improvement might include dial relocation directly on air conditioning fan. Enriching the dial control with digital display provides the user with clear system status. In this case, the user will interact with an object and receive feedback at the same place.
Direct manipulations violations: digital interface
Two list boxes that allow the user to move items between them via buttons is an example of indirect manipulation. In this case, the user needs to have additional clues how to move items between lists like button labeling.
To improve the case with moving items in the list boxes the user might be provided with to drag and drop option. Such interaction appears as a natural action for objects relocation in the real world.
The World in Miniature: digital interface
Representation of the real world objects or patterns in the digital interfaces helps to percept information and learn how to use interface. Hence such representations may significantly improve overall user experience.
Form for filing credit card information usually implemented as a simple text input form. The form might be improved with the implementation of the real world card example and show inputs at appropriate places on the card.
The solution reduces user’s cognitive load because the form is easier to compare with a physical credit card. Also in the solution with real world example, there is no need to show addition tips like an explanation of CCV location on a physical card.
Form for filing credit card information usually implemented as a simple text input form. The form might be improved with the implementation of the real world card example and show inputs at appropriate places on the card.
The solution reduces user’s cognitive load because the form is easier to compare with a physical credit card. Also in the solution with real world example, there is no need to show addition tips like an explanation of CCV location on a physical card.
Distributed cognition: physical interface
Washing machine might be an example of distributed cognition violation in the physical world. Due to a large quantity of options for many washing machines manufacturers implement dual dials and replace options names with icons. Often it complicates interaction and forces the user to remember how to choose a specific option. In addition, it may decrease discoverability since the user might be afraid to choose the wrong option.
To improve interaction the user might be provided with proper options grouping, icons supported with options titles.
To improve interaction the user might be provided with proper options grouping, icons supported with options titles.
Distributed cognition: digital interface
The 3D chart is an example of distributed cognition violation since forcing the user to remember a lot of information at the moment.
For example, if the user wants to get some information from such kind of table, they have to store in the mind meaning of three axes instead of two and percept location of each bar comparing to between them.
In order to make the table easy to understand, it might be transformed into one merged 2d chart. To simplify labeling for entities show bar information on hover.
For example, if the user wants to get some information from such kind of table, they have to store in the mind meaning of three axes instead of two and percept location of each bar comparing to between them.
In order to make the table easy to understand, it might be transformed into one merged 2d chart. To simplify labeling for entities show bar information on hover.
