the dilemma of UI design based on metaphors

Originally published in 1996 on my personal website at infomania.net and www.thepla.net/~piotr

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the problem

My first design of a user interface (UI) was the Sydney Water Control Database front-end implemented by Applied Control Systems in 1992. This demanding project confronted me with a significant dilemma, namely: Metaphor based user interfaces, like the Sydney Water’s database, promise an immediate advantage of defining the system’s functions, purpose and current state to the user through a graphic illustration of the process involved. This methodolgy may seem appropriate to a broad range of UI implementations, but isn't always the optimal solution.

The problem continues to constitute one of the most important decisions in UI design projects. In my experience, the metaphor solution is only viable for systems whose actions are substantially reinforced or literalily represented by the given metaphor. In many cases however, the user is destined to be burdened and fatigued by the superfluous visual information, especially in prolonged or recurrent practice. Additionally, the metaphor may not lend itself to accommodate all functions of the interface, a problem readily illustrated by the design of this website, see the logo and additional navigation elements it incorporates. (screen capture below)

A tabbed notepad metaphor website UI showing a detail from the Sydney Water Control Database front-end implemented as a symbolic metaphor representing the system structure.

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the approach

The challenge therefore, is to define orientation and navigation methods specific to the context and to employ an appropriate level of abstraction with high visibility of the interactive elements within it. A critical objective in the design process is to identify correct idioms and meaningful symbolism for visual and verbal representation of the system at hand.

Every aspect of the interface must be aimed at sign-posting and guiding the user towards meeting their goals with minimum effort. Meeting these criteria, in my opinion, is more integral to the success of the concept than the often debated ‘look and feel’ or aesthetic characteristics and gimmicks which only attract the attention of first time users.

(C) 1996 Piotr Kulaga aka Charlette Proto.