"Don't Make Me Think"- Chapter 1

Krug's first law of usability is indicated by the title- "Don't Make Me Think". Basically, he means that when a user first visits a website, it should be completely-self explanatory.  The website- what it is and how to use it- should be obvious.  The user should not have to put forward any effort to think about it; they should just get it.  Krug points out that the main importance of self-evidence is not necessarily that the user will leave and search for another site, because this is not always true.  Rather, the importance is simply that the self-evident website just seems better and works smoother.  It is effortless and therefore most effective to the user.  Anyone would prefer a site that is usable at a glance over one that makes you think and ask questions.

CAS Website Mockups

CAS International Working Group Website

Site Map...

Low-fidelity Wireframes...

High-fidelity Wireframes...

"If it's short, it's more likely to actually be used."

An interface is defined as "a surface regarded as the common boundary of two bodies, spaces, or phases" (Dictionary.com).  In the design world, an interface is regarded as the platform being used, such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet. The interface is, essentially, the common boundary between multiple users.

Interaction design is simply the design of something on an interface that the user will actually be interacting with, such as a web site or application. Interaction design includes how the user will interact with the product, for what purpose, and what happens after they interact. Steve Krug defines this as "what happens when the user clicks".

Information architecture is the way how everything within a website or application is organized. This includes actual placement of information, as well as navigation among different information. This organization is important because it brings the entire website or application together and makes it functional for the user. The most effective way to begin the organization is with a site map.

Krug defines usability as "really just making sure that something works well: that a person of average (or even below average) ability and experience can use the thing for its intended purpose without getting hopelessly frustrated". This means that the information architecture must be organized, sensible, and flow well, and interaction design must be easily understandable and interact as the user expects or needs.

Client 1 Design Brief

For the CAS International Working Group, we want to create a website that is clean, compelling, and has smooth functionality.  Our goal is to construct a simple, yet innovative website to not only support the various content while also being aesthetically pleasing.  Our target audience is the campus community, but focuses specifically on those involved in international or multicultural subjects.  Being that there is an overwhelming amount of university related websites, we strive to create a striking, yet distinctive resource.

            Visually, we want to exude a welcoming feeling.  Our color palette will include earth tones paired with warm hues.  The browns and neutral tones will appeal to the wide audience as well as convey the idea of “multiculturalism”.  By not choosing a distinct color (red, green, etc.), we will avoid targeting a specific culture.  Although we want the website to be individualized, we also want it to incorporate the university colors in a subtle manner.  This will add contrast to the website, while falling under the university umbrella.  Therefore, we want the visual message to convey that the university cherishes multiculturalism, while also being distinct from other university websites.  For typography, our objective is a classic and intelligent feel.  When viewing a serif typeface, one is drawn to the timeless structure of the letters.  Since the university uses a serif typeface, that will create another parallel between the websites.  The elegant, yet vintage typeface paired with the traditional, neutral tones is our paradigm of multiculturalism.

             As stated before, students and faculty are exposed to an overwhelming amount of university websites.  Our aim is to create simple navigation, made up of approximately seven tabs.  These tabs will include the main information of the website, including “About Us”, “Events”, etc.  Because there is so much information given, we can deliver the content through “parent-child” pages.  While the main tabs will be located at the top of the page, there will also be compelling images to represent the additional topics, such as Student Blogs and Games for Change.  Not only will these images be an aid in the navigation process, it will also contribute to the visual pull and add contrast.