The Elements of User Interface Design

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Summary: For more information on this book, read on...
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To view the book's Table of Contents and Reader's Roadmap, please visit my Web site at http://www.concentric.net/~tmandel/

Here's the text for the Back Cover:

A complete guide to mastering the art and science of user interface design, covering both traditional and cutting-edge interface tools and technologies.

For most computer users, the interface is the software, and in today's ultra-competitive software markets, developers can't afford to provide users and clients with anything less than optimal software ease, usability, and appeal. This book shows you how, providing readers with a step-by-step roadmap.

"The Elements of User Interface Design" was written by a cognitive psychologist and interface design specialist with more than a decade's research and design experience. Writing for novices and veteran developers and designers alike, Dr. Mandel works from the ground up-beginning with an exploration of the whys and wherefores of good software design and the psychological principles behind them. The four-part book covers command-line interfaces, graphical user interfaces (GUIs), and object-oriented user interfaces (OOUIs), advancing to cutting-edge interface technologies and techniques, such as social user interfaces, agents, and Web interfaces. Throughout, coverage is liberally supplemented with screen shots, real-life case studies, and vignettes that bring interface design principles to vivid life.

Destined to become the bible for a new generation of designers and developers, "The Elements of User Interface Design":
· Introduces readers to basic principles of good user interface design
· Arms you with a "tested-in the-trenches" four-phase, iterative design process
· Critically analyzes well-known interfaces including Windows 95, Windows NT, OS/2 Warp, Microsoft Bob, Visual Basic, Macintosh, and the World-Wide Web
· Schools you in object-oriented interface (OOUI) design principles and techniques
· Offers practical coverage of interface agents, wizards, voice activation, social user interfaces, Web design, and other new and emerging technologies.

Theo Mandel, PhD is a consultant, author, educator, and industry seminar speaker. He is the founder and principal of Interface Design and Development in Austin, Texas. Dr. Mandel worked for IBM for more than twelve years in the areas of software user interface architecture, product interface design, usability testing, software vendor consulting, and technical education. He has conducted education and training in classrooms, and on satellite education systems, as well as corporate and university-level courses on human factors, usability, and user interface design. Dr. Mandel is also the author of "The GUI-OOUI War: The Designer's Guide to Human-Computer Interfaces."

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Summary: Great book for all PC and Web designers and developers!
Review: As a software developer, I use this book on my interface design projects. It provides practical insight into key design issues rather than "cook book" answers. This is one of the best books I've read on interface design. Mandel doesn't talk down to his readers and he doesn't assume that his answer is the only answer or that there is only one answer.

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Summary: Usability Professionals' Association Newsletter Book Review
Review: Common Ground (April, 1997), Usability Professionals' Association Newsletter, Book Review--Mandel, Theo (1997), "The Elements of User Interface Design", New York: John Wiley & Sons, 440 pages Reviewed by Pawan R. Vora, U S WEST Communications, ------ Check your personal library. If you are interested in or design user interfaces, it is very likely that you have several books addressing one or more of the following topics: * Basic research on human-computer interaction (HCI) * User interface design foundations and principles * User interface design methodologies (e.g., usability engineering, object oriented design methodology) * Design guidelines for the elements of the user interface (e.g., menus, help) * Platform-specific user interface design style guides (e.g., Macintosh, Windows, OSF/Motif) * Web-based user interface design * User interface evaluation (e.g., usability testing) ----- However, you may not have a book that acts as a single source regarding ALL these topics. If you decide you need this type of resource, consider "The Elements of User Interface Design" by Theo Mandel. It will serve you well as a practical guide to interface design. It serves, also, as a good reference to use in your efforts to dispel the myth that user interface design is nothing but making the screens "look pretty." ----- You need not have an extensive background in user interface design to understand the concepts covered in this book. Managers in technical organizations, software project leads and developers, technical writers, educators and students can use this book as a means for gaining background and insight into the subject of user interface design - sans the technicalities involved with implementing design. It is written in non-intimidating, conversational style with material presented in an easily comprehended manner. Of further benefit to the reader, are the Key Ideas! used to highlight important concepts and practical tips. ----- This book is divided into four major parts: Part I: Foundations of User Interface Design (chapters 1 to 9) Part II: Object-Oriented User Interfaces (chapters 10 and 11) Part III: The User Interface Design Process (chapter 12) Part IV: Advanced User Interface Techniques And Technologies (chapters 13 to 16) ----- Part I uses ACM/interactions Design Awards 95 (ACM interactions, May-June, 1996) as a starting point for discussing quality in product design. The discussion subsequently turns to defining practical product design criteria and developing a working definition of user interface. Interface design principles are substantiated by using screenshots and real-life case studies. It concludes with a well-illustrated evolution of user interfaces from command-line and menu-driven interfaces to graphical user interfaces (GUIs). Interface guidelines and usability testing are detailed as integral parts of the design process. A range of usability testing techniques for evaluating user interfaces are described. ----- Part II describes object-oriented user interfaces (OOUIs) and how they fit better with the tasks users perform and the objects they use in work. It draws upon the author's extensive experience in object-oriented user interface design, as relayed in his earlier work: "The GUI-OOUI War: The Designer's Guide to Human-Computer Interfaces," John Wiley & Sons, 1994. ----- Part III describes a four-phase, iterative design process for developing object-oriented user interfaces, using a case study of an online hotel reservation system to illustrate points of the process. Process descriptions include explanations of user and task analyses, prototyping, iterative usability testing, and final design. In particular, the author walks the reader through an object-oriented user interface design process for a hypothetical application of "The Mandel Manor Hotels." ----- In my mind, Part II and Part III are the biggest plusses in this book. These two sections offer the reader clear and concise descriptions of object-oriented interface design principles and techniques. They also make clear the distinction between GUIs and OOUIs. Barring a few steps, the user interface design process described could be applied to any UI-based software development project but is particularly useful for object-oriented UI development projects. ----- Part IV covers more recent interface design issues, such as social interfaces, intelligent agents, wizards, multimedia, Web-based interface design. One section that is a "must read" for those familiar with user interface design is Chapter 14, "Electronic Performance System (EPS)." Though the author does not go into great detail on the subject, he does point out that new interfaces need to be user-involved and learner-centered rather than simply user-centered. He does, however, offer a good set of references for the reader to explore more detailed information on this and the other advanced topics. ----- There are a few things in this book that surprised me: First, most of the examples are from Windows 95 and OS/2 platforms; there are no examples of Apple Macintosh-based products. This is not that surprising considering the author's extensive experience on Intel-based machines. Though the user interface design principles and guidelines generally remain the same for all platforms, it could be disconcerting to those designing for the Macintosh. ----- Second, there is a limited coverage of accessibility issues (the user interface design issues for populations with special needs). Accessibility issues are covered, though not necessarily in detail, in many design style guides. Considering the nature of the book, a separate chapter on designing accessible user interfaces would have been useful. ----- Third, though the author emphasizes the need for "visually appealing interfaces" throughout the book, he has not included "visual attractiveness" in his list of basic principles: 1. Place users in control of the interface 2. Reduce users' memory load 3. Make the user interface consistent ----- In my opinion, one more principle should be added to this list, " 4. Make user interface visually appealing and attractive." ----- Finally, there are several instances where the author uses a quote but fails to identify its source. For many professionals, the resource listing is often as important as the quote. ----- To summarize, if you are: * interested in the area of user interface design but do not have any formal training; * familiar with the concepts of user interface design but want to familiarize yourself with object-oriented user interface (OOUI) design; or, * wanting an introduction to new interface design concepts about multimedia, social interfaces, EPSS (Electronic Performance Support Sytems), or Web-based designs, this book will provide you a good foundation. It will also acquaint you with information about cognitive psychology and its use in development of general design principles and guidelines. ----- In addition, the structure of the book (with its section-by-section "road maps") lends itself to being used as a textbook for an undergraduate level course on HCI or as a supplemental reading at the graduate level. If the curriculum's focus is not in Human-Computer Interaction, this book may be used as a "gentle" introduction to the field of user interface design.

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Summary: Effective blend of the theoretical and practical
Review: Elements of User Interface Design did an excellent job of covering theory and application with easy language and real world examples, which is extremely use during the developement of applications. The analyses of popular UIs of the past and present was very helpful to convey concepts and theories of what works as well as what doesn't work. I would highly recommend this book.

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Summary: Insights and pointers to knowledge you didn't know you had!
Review: Fabulous book! For the intermediate designer who needs a condensed, no nonsense - quick view! (aka..The ideal users manual)

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Summary: Excellent resource for UI professionals or layperson
Review: I'm a usability / human factors / HCI professional, and I thought I'd already read all the standard UI design books I'd ever need. After reading Mandel, I realized this book was an excellent standard reference. It belongs on the desk of anyone who is currently doing UI design, is planning to do UI design, or is merely curious about how good user interfaces can be created. This work has a good balance of friendly, accessible readability, and pointers to the basic scholarly research upon which the principles are based. Highly recommended.

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Summary: Great book and great presenter!
Review: I've just seen the author present a full-day tutorial at Seybold Seminars and I've read his books. Dr. Mandel offers practical, easy-to-understand advice and insight about interface design and usability.

In his books and tutorial, he uses examples to highlight the many principles of good design. Dr. Mandel's web site also provides valuable presentations and links on web design and usability.

I would recommend this book for anyone needing to gain an understanding and appreciation for the art and science of interface design.

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Summary: Well-written, practical guide to PC and Web interface design
Review: I've seen Dr. Mandel speak at conferences and I loved his speaking style and how he describes interface design as both an art and a science.

After the conference, I ordered his book and have enjoyed reading it. It is full of examples and practical tips and hints. I recommend the book for all software and Web developers and designers.

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Summary: This book is great !
Review: It was a pleasure to find this book. It's exactly what I was looking for ! The author is a psychologist and he wrote a great GUI Design book.

Recommended...

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Summary: Focuses on "Desktop", not "Web" UIs
Review: Mandel's book was one of several UI books I got when I was trying to implement a process for designing Web user interfaces at my workplace. Mandel has an entire chapter on it, "The User Interface Design Process", which on flipping through the pages seems quite comprehensive.

It turns out, however, that Mandel's intention in this book is to introduce the theory and practice of Object Oriented User Interfaces (OOUIs), through a brilliant "foundations" part that covers the concepts and evolution of user interfaces, two OOUI parts that profile and detail OOUIs, and an "Advanced" part that looks at evolving user interface concepts and issues.

Unfortunately, not only are Web interfaces covered in but a single chapter in the last part of the book, but the chapter merely explores, without a conclusion, how the Web interface is strikingly different from the traditional PC desktop interface. OOUI principles are in no way applicable to building Web applications (Consider what impact the OOUI tenet "Users must Understand Direct Manipulation (Drag and Drop)" would have on download time and cross-browser development costs in a Web project).

Overall, the book is a great read, a necessary reference for any UI designer, but avoid it if you're looking for solutions, especially for Web-based applications.