Web site designs: influences of designer's expertise and design constraints

  • Authors:
  • Aline Chevalier;Melody Y. Ivory

  • Affiliations:
  • Research Center in Psychology of Cognition, Language and Emotion, University of Provence, 29, Avenue Robert Schuman, 13621 Aix en Provence, France;The Information School, University of Washington, 330e Harry Gates Hall, Box 352840, Seattle, WA

  • Venue:
  • International Journal of Human-Computer Studies
  • Year:
  • 2003

Quantified Score

Hi-index 0.00

Visualization

Abstract

Nowadays, much research examines both the cognitive difficulties encountered by web site users and the development of ergonomic guidelines for designers. However, few studies examine designers' cognitive functioning while designing web sites. We defend the idea that determining the difficulties web site designers encounter is necessary to better support their design activities, especially in making web sites easier to use. We present an experimental study that demonstrates that the designers' levels of expertise (novice and professional) as well as the design constraints that clients prescribe influences both the number and the nature of constraints designers articulate and respect in their web site designs. Based on our study findings, we suggest ways to better support web site designers.