These principles are derived from Don Norman’s book – The Design of Everyday Things.
Don Norman’s seven principles of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) are:
- Mapping: The system should provide a clear and intuitive mapping between the controls and their effects on the system. This includes positioning controls in a location that corresponds to the system’s response, making it easy for users to understand and use the interface.
- Feedback: Users should receive immediate and clear feedback from the system about their actions. This includes visual, audio, or haptic feedback that confirms the user’s input, and informs them about any system changes.
- Visibility: Users should be able to see the available options and functions of an interface. This includes visible buttons, menus, and other controls that help users navigate and interact with the system.
- Constraints: The system should use constraints to limit the actions that a user can take within it. Constraints can be physical, logical, or semantic, and help prevent users from making mistakes or errors.
- Consistency: The system should be consistent in its design and functionality, both within itself and with other similar systems. Consistency helps users learn the system more easily and reduces errors.
- Mental Models: The system should be designed to match the user’s mental model of how the system should work. This includes making the system intuitive, easy to learn, and easy to use.
- Affordances: The system should provide clear and intuitive visual and physical affordances that suggest the object’s purpose and how it should be used. For example, buttons should look like buttons, and sliding controls should look like they can be moved.