Human Computer Interaction

Lecture No.10

Designing for Different

Platforms

Instructor: Dr. Kashif Laeeq

Designing for Different Platforms
What is On-the-go usage?
On-the-go usage refers to scenarios where users interact with mobile devices or technology
while they are actively moving or multitasking, such as walking, commuting, or performing daily
activities. In these situations, user attention is divided, and interaction needs to be quick,
intuitive, and distraction-free.

Key Characteristics of On-the-Go Usage:

1. Limited Attention Span:

o Users may only glance at the screen briefly while focusing on other activities.

o Interfaces need to display information clearly and concisely.

2. Short Interaction Times:

o Tasks should be designed to be completed within seconds, such as checking

notifications, making quick searches, or replying to a message.

3. One-Handed Operations:

o Interfaces should accommodate thumb-based navigation to make it easy for users

holding their device in one hand.

4. Unpredictable Environment:

o Users might interact in noisy, crowded, or poorly lit environments, requiring

adaptable designs (e.g., bold fonts, larger buttons, or high-contrast themes).
 5. Reliance on Features:

o On-the-go users often depend on device features like GPS for navigation, voice
commands for hands-free control, or offline access to information.

Examples of On-the-Go Usage:

 Checking directions on a map app while walking.

 Using a voice assistant to set a reminder while driving.

 Quickly replying to a message or email during a break.

Design Considerations for On-the-Go Usage:

 Simplicity: Avoid complex workflows; prioritize minimal steps to achieve tasks.

 Speed: Optimize app performance and loading times.

 Accessibility: Ensure elements like buttons and text are easily visible and clickable.

 Voice Integration: Support hands-free features like voice commands.

 Offline Functionality: Allow core features to work without an internet connection.

Catering to on-the-go usage is essential for creating mobile interfaces that align with real-world
user behaviors and needs.

What is 48x48 pixels?

The recommendation of 48x48 pixels for touch targets comes from guidelines established by
organizations like Google (Material Design) and Apple (Human Interface Guidelines). This size
ensures that interactive elements (like buttons, icons, or links) are large enough for users to easily
tap with their fingers on touchscreens without errors.

Why 48x48 pixels?

1. Finger Size:
 o The average adult fingertip is approximately 10mm wide, and 48x48 pixels
translate to around 9mm on most screens. This ensures that touch targets are
comfortable and avoid accidental presses.

2. Accuracy and Usability:

o Smaller touch targets increase the likelihood of miss-tapping or user frustration.

o Larger, well-spaced elements improve the overall usability of the interface.

3. Accessibility:

o Larger touch targets are essential for users with motor impairments or those using
devices in challenging environments (e.g., while walking or driving).

Additional Guidelines:

 Spacing between Elements: Leave enough space (e.g., 8-10 pixels) between touch targets
to prevent overlap or mis-tapping.

 Responsive Design: Ensure that touch targets scale appropriately across devices with
different screen sizes and resolutions.

 Testing: Test touch target sizes on real devices to ensure usability.

Examples of 48x48 Pixel Application:

 Buttons in a mobile app (e.g., play, pause, or menu icons).

 Navigation bar icons (e.g., home, back, or profile icons).

 Interactive elements on a web page optimized for mobile.

By following to these dimensions, designers can create interfaces that are user-friendly and
accessible for a broad audience.
 1. Mobile Interfaces
Designing for mobile interfaces involves creating user-friendly, visually appealing, and functional
designs for small screens. The process is focused on optimizing user experience (UX) for mobile
devices like smartphones and tablets.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Understand the Context of Use:

o Identify user needs and behaviors specific to mobile devices (e.g., on-the-go
usage).

o Consider the environments in which the app will be used (e.g., noisy, outdoor).

2. Adopt a Mobile-First Approach:

o Prioritize designing for smaller screens before scaling up for larger ones.

o Focus on essential features and minimize confusion.

3. Design for Touch Inputs:

o Ensure touch targets are at least 48x48 pixels for easy tapping.

o Place interactive elements where they are easy to reach (thumb zone for one-
handed use).

4. Optimize Screen Real Estate:

o Use responsive layouts and prioritize vertical scrolling.

o Avoid overcrowding the screen with too many elements.

5. Implement Visual Hierarchy:

o Use contrasting sizes, colors, and placements to guide user attention.

o Highlight primary actions using prominent buttons.

 6. Follow Platform Guidelines:

o Follow to design systems like Google’s Material Design (Android) or Apple’s

Human Interface Guidelines (iOS).

7. Optimize for Performance:

o Use lightweight assets to reduce load times.

o Test for responsiveness on different screen sizes and resolutions.

8. Incorporate Device Features:

o Leverage sensors (e.g., accelerometer, GPS) and native functionalities like push
notifications or camera access.

9. Test Usability:

o Conduct usability testing on real devices.

o Analyze feedback and iteratively improve the design.

2. Web Interfaces
Web interface design focuses on creating accessible, scalable, and visually engaging designs for a wide
range of devices and browsers.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Define Objectives and Target Audience:

o Identify the purpose of the website.

o Understand the demographics and needs of users.

2. Structure Content with Information Architecture:

o Organize information logically using site maps and wireframes.

o Use navigation menus, breadcrumbs, and clear headings to enhance usability.

3. Adopt a Responsive Design Approach:

o Use CSS frameworks like Bootstrap or Tailwind for fluid layouts.

o Employ media queries to adjust design elements for various screen sizes.

4. Design for Accessibility:

o Ensure color contrast for readability (WCAG standards).

o Add alternative text for images and keyboard navigation for users with disabilities.

5. Focus on Visual and Interaction Design:

o Use consistent typography, colors, and imagery.

o Provide visual feedback for user interactions (e.g., hover effects, loading indicators).

6. Optimize Loading Times:

o Minimize large images and use lazy loading techniques.

o Optimize CSS and JavaScript to reduce resource consumption.

7. Ensure Cross-Browser Compatibility:

o Test the website on popular browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge).

o Use tools like BrowserStack to simulate different environments.

8. Implement SEO and Analytics:

o Structure content with proper HTML tags (e.g., <h1>, <meta>).

o Use Google Analytics or other tools to monitor user behavior.

9. Test and Iterate:

o Conduct A/B testing for layout and content.

o Regularly update the design based on user feedback and analytics data.
3. Multi-Modal and Cross-Platform Design
Multi-modal and cross-platform design ensures consistency and usability across devices and
interaction modes, such as voice, touch, and gesture.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Identify Interaction Modes:

o Determine modes like touch, voice, gesture, or traditional inputs

(keyboard/mouse).

o Consider user scenarios where multi-modal interaction is beneficial.

2. Ensure Consistent User Experience Across Platforms:

o Design for a unified experience across mobile, web, and desktop platforms.

o Maintain consistency in visual branding and functionality.

3. Leverage Platform-Specific Features:

o Use native platform capabilities (e.g., Siri for iOS, Google Assistant for Android).

o Adapt layouts and navigation for each platform while keeping core features intact.

4. Design for Seamless Transition:

o Implement cross-platform features like account syncing and cloud storage.

o Allow users to switch between platforms without losing progress (e.g., start on
mobile and continue on desktop).

5. Accommodate Device Constraints:

o Optimize for resource-limited devices (low memory, slower processors).

o Adapt designs for varying screen sizes and resolutions.

6. Implement Voice and Gesture Integration:

 o Design conversational UI for voice-based interactions.

o Use intuitive gestures (e.g., swipe, pinch) for touch-based interfaces.

7. Test Across Multiple Devices and Scenarios:

o Validate designs on various device types (smartphones, tablets, desktops,

wearables).

o Test multi-modal functionality in real-world contexts.

8. Focus on Scalability and Future-Proofing:

o Use scalable design systems and reusable components.

o Plan for emerging technologies like AR/VR or IoT integrations.

9. Iterate Based on Feedback:

o Gather user feedback from different platforms and interaction modes.

o Continuously refine the design to improve overall usability.

Conclusion

Designing for different platforms requires understanding the unique needs of each medium while
maintaining a consistent and high-quality user experience. By focusing on user-centered design
principles, testing across devices, and leveraging platform-specific features, designers can create
intuitive and engaging interfaces for mobile, web, and multi-modal environments.