Natural User Interfaces: Designing User Interfaces that Feel Natural
Natural User Interfaces (NUI) typically feel natural and easy to use. But what does it mean for an interface to be natural? What’s the process for designing NUI interfaces? This guide will answer these questions and more so that you can incorporate them into future work.
What is a Natural User Interface?
Without attempting a formal academic definition, Natural User Interfaces (NUIs) are natural and easy to use, enabling interaction that’s direct and consistent with our “natural” behavior.
Examples of natural UIs include the Apple iPad’s multi-touch or controlling the Microsoft Kinect using mid-air body gestures. Bill Gates’ said NUIs adapt to human needs and preferences so that humans will use technology in whatever way is most comfortable and natural.
The key benefit of NUIs is that user interaction is fun, easy, and natural because the user gains access to a wider range of basic skills compared to traditional UI interaction.
How to Design Natural User Interfaces
Here are four guidelines John Blake recommends as necessary for Natural User Interfaces.
Instant Expertise
In designing a natural user interface, it’s essential to take advantage of users’ existing skills. Making them apply learned skills from other areas of life spares them the stress of learning something completely new. This is possible if they:
Reuse common human skills
Reuse domain-specific skills
Progressive Learning
Your NUIs should be accessible to novice users. Include an obvious learning path for users, so they can start with basic skills and gradually advance. Of course, veteran users should be able to start out on their own level of comfort.
Direct Interaction
An NUI should mimic the user’s interaction with the physical world by directly correlating user action and NUI reaction. Our Apple iPad and Microsoft Kinect examples show a direct relationship between user actions and what happens on the screen.
One part of direct interaction is directness. It means the user is physically close to touching the NUI they are interacting with.
Cognitive Load
Difficult interfaces require more mental effort or cognitive load. Users should not have to think about how to manipulate the interface. Their focus should be on achieving a task.
To minimize cognitive load, design your NUI so that the user mainly applies basic knowledge and simple skills during interaction.
Conclusion
Your natural user interface is only determined by users’ ability to access the design after a brief interaction period. That’s why interaction designers must always be aware of their identity, needs, and context. There are nifty product examples to consider on UILand if you’re keen on satisfying user needs and not outsmarting them.
