Ergonomics in information design

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Information Design—Week 1, Assignment 4

Please post 2 additional examples of mental and spiritual ergonomics you have seen.

  1. Google SERPs

    Google’s Search Engine Results Pages are a good example of mentally ergonomic design.

    Google SERP

    While Google’s spartan approach to design is subtle, it is effective, as the search giant’s popularity suggests. Its results pages are highly usable:

    • the title of matching pages is displayed in blue and large type as the link to the page;
    • the brief description of the page shows relevant portions—those that matched the user’s search terms—in bold, highlighting for the user exactly where the page matches their query;
    • users can see the domain on which the page is hosted in small, green type at the bottom of each listing.

    Also effectively aiding the user is Google’s suggestions of misspelled words.

    Google's suggestion of misspelled words

  2. Amazon

    Amazon.com, perhaps the largest e-tailer on the planet, has greatly optimized their store for the user.

    amazon.com home page

    The store “learns” as you use it, storing your searches, browsing history, and purchases to determine similar products in which you might be interested. The design of the whole system is designed around the user’s preferences without the user doing anything more than using it. The home page, as seen above, lists items that closely match items I have recently purchased through Amazon.

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