Use of video in user interfaces that require non-linguistic cues

ABSTRACT

This case study describes the creation of a user interface for a self-service kiosk that collects biographic and biometric data from non-English-speaking individuals who are unfamiliar with American/Western culture, with little formal education, and little-to-no experience with computers. The users were also completely unfamiliar with the task and in a very stressful environment. Therefore, unlike most commercial software interfaces that "tell" users how to complete a task by relying on entry fields labels and controls, or use language to provide context for tasks, we need to "show" users how to interact with interface. The goals for our user interface are similar to the goals of arcade video game machines that use a short demonstration video, without words, to draw the viewer's attention, create an expectation in the viewer of what is to come, and demonstrate the task to the viewer. User testing found that demonstration videos could meet these requirements.

REFERENCES

• 1: Hutchins, E. D., Hollan, J. D. and Norman, D. A. (1986). Direct manipulation interfaces. In D. A. Norman & S. W. Draper (Eds.), User centered design: New perspectives on human- computer interaction (pp. 31--62). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  J. Computer Applications
  J.7 COMPUTERS IN OTHER SYSTEMS

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors

Keywords:
usability, user interface design, video