Wednesday, January 27, 2010

flowchart

Question: Why do you want to use flowchart in your mobile interface design and screen interface design? How will it help your users to meet the interactive goals?

I would like to use flowcharts in my interface designs because it helps me structure thoughts into a system. Based on computer language, everything starts from the basic 'yes / no' choice system. Using that system, we can show users the function of the machine and at the same time make it easier for them to achieve what they need without long explanations, because the machine will guide them step-by-step to what they want. All in all, that is basically what interface design aims to do, 'interface' meaning a surface for interaction, therefore as designers i assume our role is to create simple but effective interfaces.
Flowcharts can help users to meet their goals by providing a step-by-step question and answer sequence until the user reaches what they want. The steps are dynamic, they can be reset or redone. In the process of creating the flowchart, designers consider what the consumer wants to do with the machine and finds an effective or innovative solution to design an interactive face.

4 comments:

  1. I understand that the flowchart is a good system, but what if there is more than one variable involve in one decision rather than a yes and no, would it not complicate it whole process thus causing it to cause internal error?

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  2. i apologize... 'yes and no' is perhaps a weak example, because it confuses people with the meaning of the word itself.

    In the case you mention, then the user would simply be presented with 3 or more choices before the decision needs to be made, example:

    Select your ice-cream flavour:
    vanilla, chocolate, vegetarian

    or, it could be after the decision:

    Do you want to blast the alien?
    Yes / No

    (if Yes)
    Which weapon do you want to use?
    Centrino gun, Neutrino gun, Weijialogy

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  3. Yes, I couldn't agree more with you. Flow chart is such a effective system for you to draft out the whole solution before putting it into certain use. Troubleshooting would be much easier and more.

    But have you actually explore more on there are many other system which also helps in doing the same thing by not using flowchart?

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  4. no i havent, but if those systems were as effective or conducive for designers to apply, then flowcharts wouldnt be so widely used now. my assumption is that those other methods are very specialized.

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