Design Axioms

Axioms for Human Computer Interaction Design

An executive summary of the excellent article by Juhan Sonin found at
http://www.mit.edu/~juhan/design_axioms.html

• Let data scream (screen real estate: 85% data, 15% UI)
• Always use real data
• Prototype like crazy (fast development iterations)
• Address layout, color, and interaction design from the start
• Allow users to bitch about your service quickly (1-click feedback)
• Dogfood your services
• Ask for forgiveness rather than permission (just do)
• Get continual feedback in the domain vernacular
• Use grid hierarchies and basic information layouts
• When in doubt, bang left
• Pay attention to good typography practice
• Use less than 5 type treatments of only 1 type face
• Use better words and less of them
• Color carefully
• The document should be center stage, not the paint
• What interface? Great interfaces disappear and have low cognitive overhead
• People should be engaging directly with the content (e.g. iPhone photo app)
• Manipulate the data, not the interface
• Over time as you use a service or product, the interface melts into the background.
• Design first for the repeat user (jedi), then novice, then the infrequent/inexperienced user.
• Experience breeds familiarity, and in interface design familiarity promotes usability.
• Cognitive heat sink: I get it, feels right, go here... instead of oh yeah, I remember where that was
• Use keyboard shortcuts to supplement intuitive actions (enabling ninja speed)
• Design every second of the experience
• Performance ("snappiness") counts.
• Products thrive (or wither) based on the users’ experience