In Favor of Flawlessness

We've all heard the word "flawless" used in connection with diamonds, but there is no such thing as flawlessness. The definition of a "flawless" diamond is one in which a gemologist can not detect visual flaws ("inclusions") with a 10X jeweler's loupe. But if using a 100X microscope, one would likely see flaws. Conversely, a diamond that has no visible inclusions to the naked eye is not necessarily flawess. Based on the flaws visible at 10X, a non-flawless diamond would be rated between SI2 (small inclusions) and VVS1 (very, very small inclusions).



So what then is the appropriate level of magnification and training required for judging a user interface? Is it good enough if there are no flaws noticed by the casual observer? Need it be flawless on close inspection by a trained eye? The "flawlessness" of a diamond only refers to its so-called "clarity." A diamond's color, cut, and carat weight also factor into its value. Likewise, there are multiple metrics by which to measure a user interface that all contribute to it feeling right or wrong.



To determine the right balance, let's consider how humans have evolved and the signals sent by visual input. A cluttered interface overwhelms a user because there are too many possible pitfalls. If there are more than 4 or 5 elements, a user can't process them all unless he can group some elements together. For example, visual elements that are clearly part of the background communicate to the user, "It is all right to ignore me." Buttons should be clearly labelled so that a user knows where they lead before clicking the button. This lets a user discard a button from their mental checklist (if they are not interested) or helps them to promote a button in their mind for later pursuit (if it sounds interesting).



What kinds of flaws can distract a user? Humans observe the symmetry, consistency, alignment, and proportion of other people's features to judge their overall health. If a face is full of blemishes, that person may have a disease or simply might not have strong genetics. Likewise, in an interface, if the text is blurry, or if buttons are misaligned (or worse yet, move over time), it distracts the user. It prevents the interface from being transparent. As with a diamond, the ideal interface is one the concentrates and reflects back the ambient light.



Be sure to test your interface on users who are unfamiliar with it. Are there any icons that don't immediately convey their purpose to the user? How can you group, rearrange, or eliminate icons to make their functionality clearer? Does your interface help your user prioritize information. Is the most important item the largest or otherwise most prominent? Is the interface clean without being sterile?



Flawlessness, therefore, is the absence of distractions, not the pursuit of perfection. By remedying the obvious flaws, you'll enhance the user experience (even if subconsciously) in a cost-effective manner.



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