User Interface Design and Ergonomics - National Open University of ...

unable to understand new information, without the inherent bias of their previous
knowledge. A person’s knowledge creates his or her reality as much as the truth, because
the human mind can only contemplate that to which it has been exposed. When objects
are viewed without understanding, the mind will try to reach for something that it already
recognizes, in order to process what it is viewing. That which most closely relates to the
unfamiliar from our past experiences, makes up what we see when we look at things that
we do not comprehend.
In interface design, the extent to which a user interface is appreciated depends largely on
the perception of users. This is why a major stage in user interface design is to understand
user. Psychologists are always involved in this stage.
3.3 MOTOR SKILLS
A motor skill is a learned series of movements that combine to produce a smooth,
efficient action.
Gross motor skills include lifting one's head, rolling over, sitting up, balancing, crawling,
and walking. Gross motor development usually follows a pattern. Generally large
muscles develop before smaller ones, thus, gross motor development is the foundation for
developing skills in other areas (such as fine motor skills). Development also generally
moves from top to bottom. The first thing a baby usually learns to control is its eyes.
Fine motor skills include the ability to manipulate small objects, transfer objects from
hand to hand, and various hand-eye coordination tasks. Fine motor skills may involve the
use of very precise motor movement in order to achieve an especially delicate task. Some
examples of fine motor skills are using the pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger) to pick up
small objects, cutting, coloring, writing, or threading beads. Fine motor development
refers to the development of skills involving the smaller muscle groups.
Ambidexterity is a specialized skill in which there is no dominance between body
symmetries, so tasks requiring fine motor skills can be performed with the left or right
extremities. The most common example of ambidexterity is the ability to write with the
left or right hand, rather than one dominant side
The motor skills by users significantly affect the ability of users to be able to use the
system well and do their work better (Ergonomics). This shows that it is important to
identify or measure the motor skills of users before the real design starts.
Fatigue or weariness may lead to temporary short-term deterioration of fine motor skills
(observed as visible shaking), serious nervous disorders may result in a loss of both gross
and fine motor skills due to the hampering of muscular control. A defect in muscle is also
a symptom of motor skill dysfunction. A user interface must be design to eliminate
completely or reduce significantly all the mentioned defects.
3.4 COLOUR
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