Reflections on Norman Chapter 3 and Vicente Chapters 4 and 5

It seems these readings are very timely as we begin our website development. I am trying to keep Vicente’s advice and avoid the psychological labyrinth many users need to follow as they enter such realms as web portals and phone message centers. I am trying as much as possible to follow human nature and leave digital breadcrumbs for people to follow back and understand where they are in the website as well as multiple entry points for the same page. In doing so, I hope to be able to create a site that is easy for most people. One thing I found particularly interesting is the behaviour coding that causes either grief or comfort for users. While there is no possible way I can make using the site a tactile experience, it can become a positive visceral experience as the colours I hope are pleasing and colour coding will help visitors navigate through the site and return as easily as possible.

Norman presented a contrasting, albeit not all together conflicting view still emphasizing the importance of the visceral level of design. It seems that for many products, the success is in the packaging not in the product; clearly he understands how to “sell the sizzle not the steak”. This led my design as I tried to choose a template that was simple in its design and colour scheme. Similar to Vicente’s work, it may be challenging to create a site that affects all senses. Clearly we cannot follow Subway restaurant’s lead by leaving the door open to our stores and employ the lure of freshly baked bread to attract our customers, so our challenge will be to create something that connects to the visual and audio senses of our users. Perhaps I may be able to connect to their reflective nature with the use of pictures and quotes on my page. While at the same time trying not to alienate their reflective level by avoiding their psychological labyrinth mentioned previously.

I appreciated their advice to seek feedback from real users in a natural setting and to take feedback sincerely as the “iterative design process is the heart of effective user centered design”.
One point puzzled me though. While we are advised to avoid the user learning the site as well as material, it seems that the site’s success may not be entirely dependent on this. England’s magic roundabout and the insertion of batteries are two examples that people live with everyday yet continue to use even with their extreme behaviour coding. Is this a function of the design mantra “Learn it once, remember it forever”? Or is it the fact that at this juncture in time there is no other option?

All the while I read about design this week I was reminded of Arthur C. Clark who is quoted as saying “If we have learned anything from the history of invention and discovery, it is that, in the long run and often in the short run – the most daring of prophecies seem laughably conservative”