Principles for a usability-oriented pattern language

Abstract

High level usability principles (e.g. "familiarity") are difficult to apply to specific projects, and style guides providing more detailed instructions are often misinterpreted and inaccessible. An approach to usability based on design patterns enables designers to learn how certain recurring problems can be solved according to high level principles. The paper summarises a review of the desirable properties advocated by five popular style guides, and discusses how this list has been modified to provide an underlying philosophy which is appropriate for a usability oriented pattern language. A sample pattern which exemplifies this philosophy involving iteration through selectable objects, is described.