INTERACTION DESIGN PRINCIPLES FOR INTERACTIVE ...

This will improve both the speed and usability of BBCi.” (BBC Press Release, March 11,
2004).
In chapter four I outlined many of the navigational challenges related to the
functional affordances and constraints of remote controls versus the mouse and keyboard,
noting that navigation poses a primary concern for widespread iTV adoption on the
television platform. Mark Gawlinski offers some helpful practical design
recommendations to improve this experience, which I also outlined in chapter four
(2003).
Despite the lack of a consistent navigational infrastructure in the U.S., and also
taking into design consideration the necessity for multiple-device distribution, there are
some basic principles we can apply to ensure good navigational design for iTV. Many of
the principles presented in this section echo well-established usability principles for good
user interface and interaction design within any effective information system.
Principle: Orient the viewer
A good navigational system provides the viewer with cues about where they are,
how they got there, and where they can go next at any time. The user should never have
to ask the question “Where am I now?” on any screen. Users should also be able to easily
understand “What can I do now?” at any given time in the interaction process. In
addition, users should understand the extent of the navigable iTV space and understand
where he/she is in relation to that space.
As illustrated by Figure 5.35, in this example from New Americans from
Kartemquin Films, the overlay alerts viewers that New Americans is an iTV experience,
and provides very simple instructions for accessing the iTV menu for additional options.
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