Ergonomic Design
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Article
Created: User:Aadhar14b
(21 Jun 2009)
Reviewed: SannaH
(07 May 2012)
Last edited: hamishwillee
(09 May 2012)
What is Ergonomic Design in context of mobile?
- Ergonomics is the science of designing the job, equipment, and workplace to fit the user.
- Ergonomic Design in context of mobile applications means designing the applications so that the user can use the application comfortably without being visually, mentally or physically stressed.
- It takes account of the user’s capabilities and limitations in seeking to ensure that tasks and information suit the user.
Guidelines for Ergonomic Mobile Design
Ergonomic Design for mobile applications mainly deals with the proper design of UI (User Interface).Let us look at some key points that must be kept in mind while designing UI.
- Do not use fixed font sizes to ensure readability and avoid using small font sizes.
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Incorrect Design/Correct Design
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- Use 'easy to read' color combinations, use contrast effects to improve readability.
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Incorrect Design/Correct Design - Group functionally related elements on the user interface.
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Incorrect Design/Correct Design
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- Ensure that the tap/clickable region is ergonomic.
- Especially in case of Touch UI, proper spacing must be available for selection of UI elements.
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Incorrect Design/Correct Design
- Ensure that the user interface elements/objects and the text are clearly visible in presence of low light.
- In case of touch screen UI, the size of the user interface elements should be optimized.
- Selection of an UI element must also be possible in absence of stylus.
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Incorrect Design/Correct Design
- As colors can appear differently on different mobiles according to there displays, do not use color conventions to specify critical features.
- In case of a sequential flow of actions, use the same soft key.
- This helps the user to carry on with the continuity of application flow without getting distracted to locate the position of the soft key for the next course of action to happen in that flow.
Keeping in mind above mentioned points can help in making mobile application design 'Ergonomic' and thus will add value to the application.
05 Sep
2009
Article provides dos and don'ts for usability of mobile apps. Good clean examples. Maybe a little rough visually.
Just keep your designs on close to the ones on the right :).
I'd also like to see how orientation affects ergonomic of an app. One thing I've heard is that when going to landscape you can display less items in the list, but there are surely other things to consider. I'm not sure if title well describes the content of the article.
18 Sep
2009
The article scratches the surface of Ergonomic aspect of mobile design. It touches and pictorially depicts some of the design considerations for mobile applications.