Web & Application Design: we've been designing for a very specific use case

1 points by jhacks 13 years ago | 1 comment

I realized something recently and curious what others think. We seem to design for the web, desktop applications, etc. based upon three specific things:

1. seated close 2. relatively large screen 3. precise mouse

If you take any of these things away... you can no longer cram functionality into screen space as we currently do.

It is the reason behind responsive design and the "mobile first" approach. You take away the precision mouse and the large screen and you have trouble. I'd actually say true screen size isn't even as much of an issue as is the precision (or lack of) of your finger. Especially considering you can put the mobile phone very close to your face.

In principle, mobile design is even similar to the other end of the spectrum, TV design. Although the screen is large, you sit far away, effectively reducing functional screen size. Throw in the use of a controller or even gesture control (i.e. Kinect) into the mix and the similarity between mobile and TV is even more striking.

It seems we've been designing for a very specific use case that is currently changing with phones, tablets, and even smart TVs. But do you think the "sit close, large screen, precise mouse" design paradigm going to fade away entirely? I suppose perhaps it can't because of productivity applications... but I wonder if there will be an upheaval there? Will see cluttered screens and toolbars give way to cleaner interfaces (everywhere)?

And would that even be beneficial? Or akin to trying to fit a square peg into a round hole?

steerpike 13 years ago |

I'm afraid that even at the best of times those three specific things are very poor foundations on which to build web applications.

Consider "1. seated close 2. relatively large screen 3. precise mouse" in the context of (what should be your very first imaginary user): a search bot. Not one of them make sense and they don't make much more sense if you expand your users beyond your very, very limited set.

Consider also: vision impaired users, users without the mechanical ability to use a mouse, or any number of use cases with accessibility issues.

Personally I think the best use case in order to begin thinking about design for the web begins with: universal access to information. Every design, UX and technical decision should flow from that basic principle.