What is feedback in Norman's design principles?

In the realm of design, there is a fundamental principle that plays a crucial role in creating exceptional user experiences: feedback. Coined by the renowned designer Don Norman, the principle of feedback revolves around providing users with immediate and informative responses to their actions.

Importance of feedback

Feedback is a vital communication channel between users and the systems or interfaces they interact with. It enables users to understand the consequences of their actions, provides reassurance, and helps guide their decision-making process. By incorporating well-crafted feedback mechanisms, designers can enhance usability, increase user engagement, and build trust with their audience.

Example

Consider a mobile banking application that allows users to transfer funds between accounts. When a user initiates a transfer, providing real-time feedback on the progress of the transaction, such as a loading animation, assures them that their action is being processed. Once the transfer is successfully completed, a confirmation receipt provides immediate feedback, reinforcing the user's confidence in the system.

Here, the feedback received in the form of a loading animation and the confirmation receipt lets the user know the process happening on the backend.

Feedback design guidelines

To create effective feedback mechanisms, designers should consider a few key guidelines:

1. Timeliness: Feedback should be delivered promptly, ideally in real-time or as close to real-time as possible. Users should not be left wondering whether their action was successful.

2. Clarity: The feedback should be clear and easily understandable, avoiding jargon or technical language that might confuse users. It should convey the necessary information concisely and accurately.

3. Relevance: Feedback should be context-specific and relevant to the user's action. It should address the outcome or consequence of the action, helping users understand the system's response.

4. Modality: Feedback can take various forms, including visual, auditory, or haptic cues, depending on the context and the user's preferences. Choosing the appropriate modality enhances the overall user experience.