Touch Tips
Designing touch friendly applications.
Designing a touch screen interface is an opportunity to start with a clean sheet of paper.
A good design does not simply present a standard computer screen: there are no toolbars or menus available; the cursor is disabled, as this can be a distraction. Designers must move away from the idea that the touch screen is an auxiliary or alternative computer interface. It is the only way the targeted user will interact with the machine. Designers must feel free to think in terms of ergonomic performance, unconstrained by the received “wisdom” of conventional PC screen layout.
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Human factors are of paramount importance.
The controls should be positioned in the most intuitive and logical locations possible, both in absolute terms and relative to each other. People naturally tend to work from top to bottom, and from left to right, and the active areas should be arranged to guide the user through the desired sequence of operations with this in mind.
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The buttons should be as large as possible.
This guards against errors and misunderstandings, and makes the interface tolerant of users who are in a hurry, who may be using gloved hands, or whose sight or motor skills are impaired, for example.
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All choices or instructions should be made as clear possible.
Excessive text, ambiguities and complicated choices will dissuade users, especially of kiosks. Designing kiosk applications is all about attracting customers and retaining their attention through to completion of the transaction. If the choices are unclear or confusing, the customer will walk away. If this happens once, it is almost impossible to attract that customer back. Simple yes/no, go/no-go choices, presented using large fonts, are best.
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Use of colour is very important to help the user make choices and navigate the interface.
Judicious use of colours will also hide fingerprints and reduce glare, which have a considerable impact on the user experience.
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Design for instant feedback is important in all applications, and especially for kiosks.
3D effects, colour changes, or audible clicks are powerful techniques to acknowledge a button has been pushed. There is considerable scope for the application developer to think laterally when designing user controls, to create an interface that works in the most efficient and intuitive way for the intended user group.
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Design for fast response is a must.
Kiosk users will walk away if response is slow, and machine operators in an industrial environment will likely become impatient and try to short-cut the system. Those users who do not give up or walk away may begin to make multiple button pushes leading to erroneous transactions. Ultimately the system may crash, and recovery may not be simple, possibly requiring expensive attention from trained field service staff.
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