What is Interaction Design?
Interaction design is the process of designing how users interact with a digital product so that it is easy, clear and pleasant. It focuses on the user experience (UX), that is, the whole feeling and impression a user has during and after using the system.
Key idea
The user experience (UX) covers a user’s whole interaction with a product — whether it feels easy, satisfying or frustrating.
Principles of Interaction Design
Several important principles guide good interaction design:
- Consistency — similar elements behave the same way throughout the system, for example the "Save" button is always in the same place.
- Feedback — the system responds to every user action, so the user knows something has happened.
- Simplicity — a simple interface reduces confusion.
- Error prevention — a design that stops mistakes before they happen, or lets the user undo them.
Example
When you press the "Submit" button on an online form, a message "Form submitted successfully" appears. This message is feedback that confirms your action worked, so you do not press the button again and again.
User-Centred Design
User-centred design means involving the real needs of users throughout the design process, and testing the design with real users. Consistency helps because users can carry what they learn in one part of a system over to another part, making the system easier to learn.
Remember
Consistency, feedback, simplicity and error prevention create a good user experience. Always design for real users.