[IxDA Discuss] Affordances in interface design

[jackbellis.com]

Cecily,
I represent the camp that says that there's no reason---cost, complexity, 
and learnability included---that software can't be all things to all people. 
Check out www.csszengarden.com and try to tell me your forms can't provide 
BOTH the historical appearance for those to whom it's a value, and look like 
www.wufoo.com for those who think trees are for carbon dioxide mitigation. 
Default to the classic interface and provide an easy link to bring it up to 
date. The very slight burden can logically be placed on the modern users to 
seek out the customization for the desired skin more so than the 
"experienced" people.

I notice you said that new users complained of confusion, but you didn't 
substantiate this feedback relative to the distinction you're asking about. 
That is, do they not relate to the field labels, the order, the arrangement, 
the aesthetic, the form factor, the color, the pagination, the 
interaction...?

www.jackBellis.com,
www.PoopyPhonics.com
www.UsabilityInstitute.com
www.RSIRescue.com
www.WorkAtHomeWednesday.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Cecily Walker" <cecily.walker at gmail.com>
To: <discuss at ixda.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2007 7:29 PM
Subject: [IxDA Discuss] Affordances in interface design


> Hi Everyone,
>
> I have a question that I'll preface with statement. I work for a
> company that builds accounting software for the desktop. Screens for
> data entry (i.e., paying bills, creating invoices) were designed to
> look like the paper forms they were based on, and have looked like
> this since the Windows 3.1 version of the software.
>
> Research has shown us that new users frequently find this design
> confusing. Stakeholders have told us that they want to hold on to this
> design because "It's what our users are used to."
>
> My question is this - does anyone have any resources that talk about
> affordances in application design? If you don't have any resources,
> I'll take opinions: how important is it that a  "Create Invoice"
> screen resemble a paper invoice? How important is it that a payments
> screen looks like a check?
>
> Thanks in advance for your responses,
> Cecily
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