User interface design and the technical communicator

The thought process involved in transforming user requirements and product objectives into an effective user interface design is examined. By user interface, the authors mean all aspects of the product that help users perform tasks: online panels, commands, messages, help panels, tutorials, and other forms of documentation, whether online or printed. The authors explore six principles or end goals of the well-designed user interface-customer task-orientation, automation, accessibility, simplicity, clarity, and consistency-and demonstrate how they can help shape design decisions throughout the development process. They also show how technical communicators, by virtue of their education, skills, and sensibilities, can apply the principles not only to documentation but to the total user interface. For this reason, their participation in externals design terms is essential.<>