Interface Design Guidelines for Users of All Ages

Citation: Spiezle, C. Interface Design Guidelines for Users of All Ages. AgeLight 2001.
http://www.agelight.com/webdocs/designguide.pdf

Key words: usability, effective interface usability, seniors, aging


This article is about (main discussion):
Designing a website or interface for an aging population, determining what factors affect design for seniors, recommendations for curing “ailments” to broken web designs (including: layout and style, colour, text, general usability testing, accessibility and disabilities, user customization) (p. 1, 7)

The author argues that:
“The importance of design and usability considerations for increasingly varied ages and lifestyles of computer and Internet appliance users has been heightened with the increase of worldwide longevity and the integration of the Internet into all aspects of society.” (p. 3)


The authors make the following statements or sites the following references on support of his/ her argument (provide 2-3 quotes):
Six recommendations and solutions to site “ailments” include: layout & style, colour, text, general usability testing, accessibility & disabilities, user customization (p. 7)
Remember: place the most important information and content in the first screen of the page as you can not expect the user to scroll down, be consistent (use rows and columns, and putting logos in same place) (p. 7), no blinking graphics, pop up windows and ads banners, use a light complementary background instead of watermarks or embossed logos, lots of white and little text is beneficial, use hyperlinks for longer pages, increase the size of the area around the link, consistently underline links, but do not underline text, keep pages short, consistency of navigation (p.8), design in black and white, and add colour for emphasis when design is complete, when choosing colour, consider hue, lightness and saturation (http://www.lighthouse.org/color_contrast.htm), keep colours bright and bold (p. 10), limit text bolding, use 12-14 size, limit use of all capital caps (p. 10,11), test your pages as much as possible, add search capability, have external links open in new windows (p. 13)

The authors conclude that:
Designers need to be aware of the varied levels of adult literacy and the primary language of the intended user. Our aging society and the disabled are at risk of feeling disenfranchised by designers who do not allow their participation in potential quality-of-life enhancing technologies. (p.16)

The authors feel that:
“Collaborative research on the needs of multimedia and Web technology development that would support increased usability. This research would go a long way in developing awareness and highlighting innovative market solutions for users of all ages and physical capabilities.” (p. 16)


References: http://www.agelight.com/webdocs/designguide.pdf 2001