Design Principles
Sequence interface design principles were developed from academic literature and usability tests with 28 elders, ages 65-90, with a wide range of abilities.
1.
Linear Navigation
Structure your app’s visual metaphor linearly, as a series of pages that flow in the same direction. Linear navigation keeps the mental model simple and clear. Navigation is simply forward and backward.
2.
Glanceability
Keep information density on each page low, and visual contrast between different types of information high. Glanceability avoids excessive cognitive load for the user. Understanding is as easy as seeing what’s on the page.
3.
Conversational Language
Use conversational language throughout your app, and avoid digital jargon. Conversational language allows older adults to interact with your service the way they want to–just like they do with their friends and family.
4.
Accessible Gestures
Register swipes as taps. People with arthritis, tremors, or Parkinson's find it hard to precisely tap a button. Swabbing is a different kind of gesture that's like a baseball player sliding into home plate. Instead of a precise tap, users will often tap then slide onto the target.
5.
Multimodal Feedback
Use audio and haptic feedback for button presses. Using audio, haptic, and visual feedback has been shown to increase usability for older adults.
