Six design rules for human designers of automation:
- Provide rich, complex, and natural signals.
- Be predictable.
- Provide a good conceptual model.
- Make the output understandable.
- Provide continual awareness without annoyance.
- Exploit natural mappings.
Or an alternative view:-
1. Keep things simple: People have simple minds, so talk down to them.
2. Always give people a conceptual model: People have this thing about “understanding,” so give them stories they can understand (people love stories).
3. Give reasons: People are not very trusting, so make up some reasons for them. That way they think they have made the decision
4. Make people think they are in control: People like to feel as if they are in control, even though they aren’t. Humor them. Give them simple things to do while we do the important things.
5. Continually reassure: People lack self-confidence, so they need a lot of reassurance. Pander to their emotions.
Before anyone lights the flaming spears, read the
source of these quotes; and don’t forget that humor has an important role in thinking as it involves more than one viewpoint.
Related link.
Don Norman's jnd.org / user advocacy and human-centered design