improving discoverability

Improving Discoverability

Suzanne Ginsburg, HOW Interactive 10.30.2012

Photo by Sandy Honig

2 HOW Interactive Copyright © Suzanne Ginsburg

What is Discoverability?


What is Discoverability?

In the software world—desktop, web, mobile, tablet—discoverability typically refers to the ease at which users may find a feature to complete a specific task they have in mind.

But it may also refer to the ability to simply get started with a new application, or the ability to discover features unknown to the user, e.g., those that may improve performance.


Why is Discoverability important?


Why is Discoverability important?

Makes users happy

Minimizes help documentation

Lowers customer care costs

Good discoverability = Good design


Why has Discoverability become increasingly important today?


Why is Discoverability important today?


What can you do to improve Discoverability?


The Discoverability Hierarchy

SS

Concept

Information Architecture

Screen Design

Visual Language

User Education


Discoverability Tips

1.  Leverage Mental Models (Concept)

2.  Provide Contextual Focus (Information Architecture)

3.  Include Sneak Peeks (Screen Design)

4.  Show Just-in-Time Content & Tools (Screen Design)

5.  Exploit Physical Characteristics (Visual Language)

6.  Spell it Out (User Education)


Tip #1. Leverage Mental Models

(Concept)


#1. Leverage Mental Models

Turning pages is easy to discover

since most everyone is

familiar with how a real book

works.



Leverages mental model of chore

wheel.



Hipstamatic (earlier version) leverages mental model of

camera .


#1. Strong Conceptual Foundation

But you must be committed to the

mental model. Address Book breaks down

since users can’t tap here to turn pages.

Version 5.0.1


Tip #2. Provide Contextual Focus

(Information Architecture)


#2. Provide Contextual Focus

Evernote’s Contextual Focus helps improve discoverability.

When mobile, geo-tagging available. This feature is less

relevant on desktop.



Yelp also has Contextual Focus. Maps, Call & Directions are front & center for

mobile. They’re still available for the Web but reviews & other content take center

stage since users tend to be in more of a research mode.


Contextual Focus isn’t always about the platform. You can

have contextual focus within an app, like AllRecipes Cooking

Mode



Tip #3. Include Sneak Peeks

(Screen Design)


#3. Include Sneak Peeks

Sketchbook Pro shows the toolbar when app

loads then slides out of view.


#3. Include Sneak Peeks

Flickr slideshow filmstrip works the same way as the previous example.


Tip #4. Show Just-in-Time Content

(Screen Design)


#4. Just-in-Time Content

Just-in-time features enable Pulse to devote as

much real estate as possible to reading

experience. The app shows other articles when

user reaches end or swipes to top.


#4. Just-in-Time Content

Path also provides

Just-In-Time content on

their timeline. Date and time only

shown when user scrolling

timeline.


Tip #5. Exploit Physical Characteristics

(Visual Language)


#5. Exploit Physical Characteristics

Paper exploits physical characteristics of

Moleskines and real paper.


#5. Exploit Physical Characteristics

Convertbot’s uses metal visuals and

sound to communicate the

ability to tinker.


Tip #6. Spell It Out

(User Education)


#6. Provide User Education

Citibank shows annotations just before

first use.



Pulse uses similar approach but more

sketchy style.



Contextual User Education on Bing

(instead of showing tips all at once)



Contextual User Education on Flipboard similar to Bing example


Flipboard animates on first use to introduce

signature Flip.



To recap, here are the 7 Discoverability tips: 1.  Leverage Mental Models (Concept)

2.  Provide Contextual Focus (Information Architecture)

3.  Include Sneak Peeks (Screen Design)

4.  Show Just-in-Time Content & Tools (Screen Design)

5.  Exploit Physical Characteristics (Visual Language)

6.  Spell it Out (User Education)


Thanks!

[email protected]

@suzanneginsburg

improving discoverability

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discoverability important

contextual focus yelp

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user educationpulse

physical characteristics

time contentjust

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