Thinking

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Overview | Understanding thinking | Cognitive processes (4) | Types of thinking (4) | Design guidance (2) | Pop. stats. (2)

Design guidance

Perception and attention | Memory and learning

  • Use shapes, colours and alignment to assist visual grouping of features that share some kind of similarity, thereby reducing the time and working memory required to locate a desired feature
  • Align controls in a spatial orientation that matches the devices they affect, or provide an obvious link between controls and the corresponding devices
  • Consider the increased demand on spatial ability if left and right are used to represent up and down (or vice versa), and avoid this situation wherever possible
  • Use the visual form of the device to help users understand what areas they can interact with, and the correct way to interact with them
  • Try to use simple language, and supplement textual information with images and icons
  • Be wary of potential problems that can result if multiple actions have to be completed within a certain time period
  • Try to ensure that attention is only required to be directed in one place at any one time
One cooker has two hobs and two controls aligned vertically, while the other has the hobs vertical but the controls horizontally aligned.

A cooker top that has its controls aligned in a spatial orientation which matches the corresponding devices, compared to one that does not

The handle on the door suggests it should be pulled downwards, but in fact the door opens sideways.

The shape and form of this door does not help the user understand how it should be opened