How to learn “Intuitive UI” with the help of Nespresso coffee maker!
A user interface is essentially what connects users and products underlying technology to perform tasks that achieve user’s goals.
As designers one of the key parts of our job is to build a UI that a user can quickly figure it out and use it with the least effort to meet their needs. Therefore, it’s a sure thing that having an “Intuitive UI” is indispensable!
Everett N. McKay in his book “UI is communication” defines intuitive UI as follows:
“A UI is intuitive when target users understand its behaviour and effect without use of reason, memorisation, experimentation, assistance or training.”
Everett N. McKay also lists 8 attributes that helps to design interfaces intuitively.
Since I believe they are generic attributes that can be applied to either physical or digital products, I tried to discover them in my Nespresso coffee maker to make them clear and also memorable to use in every product that we create!
- Discoverability
Users can easily find the starting point in context-when and where they need it.
✅Where the capsule container is
✅Where the milk container is
✅The switch button to make foam
✅On/Off button
✅Different types of available coffees
❌How to clean inside the machine
2. Understandability
Users can make an informed decision quickly and confidently. Users don’t have to experiment or get assistance to make a choice.
✅Milk foam can be customised from low to high
✅There is a button for cleaning
❌Illustration on the left without label isn’t understandable
3. Affordance
The design has visual properties that indicate how to perform an interaction.
✅ 1. The shape of the button displays it is for turning
✅ 2. This button shows it needs to be pushed
✅ 3. The lined shape stimulates touch
4. Predictability
Functionally the UI (design in this example) delivers the expected results with no surprises or confusion.
✅The machine turns on or off by pressing its button
❌When press on one coffee type it starts to make that instantly although I expect to ask some details
5. Efficiency
The design enables users to perform the action with a minimum amount of effort.
✅Using capsules can help to make a coffee more efficiently
❌Washing it’s parts isn’t much efficient unless using a washing machine
6. Responsive feedback
The design gives clear, immediate feedback to indicate that the action is happening. When the user is done, it should be clear for them whether the action was successful or unsuccessful, providing specific details when needed.
✅Making a sound while producing coffee
✅Using light indicators warns a user what is happening
7. Forgiveness
If users make a mistake, either the right thing happens anyway or they can fix or undo the action with ease.
✅Double press on the same button stops taking actions
8. Explorability
Users can explore without fear of doing something wrong or getting lost.
✅Good affordance and discoverability helps users to take action fearlessly
❌How to detach milk and water container and other parts to wash
Nevertheless sEverett N. McKay mentions in his book that not every attribute listed here is required for every interaction, so the key is to determine the appropriate combination.
To follow up more details I recommend you read Chapter 2 and 3 of this book.
I hope this article gave you a good glimpse look and you’ve found something valuable within, which you can take into your product design process✨
