Vis-able: Using Visual Communication Techniques to Improve Usability

Previous research by the authors established a set of interaction design principles, aimed at creating usable but also enjoyable interfaces. The work outlined in this paper aims to move towards practical interpretation of the ideas and consider visual techniques for realizing goals for game interaction. The study is intended to combine creative Aesthetic and Emotive approaches, commonly associated with Design disciplines, together with ideas originally derived from HCI and usability foundations. Students investigated two particular areas through project work on the MSc in Computer Games Graphics. The resulting interface designs underwent a critique review process and their success in guiding players through an adventure game considered from an emotional and qualitative perspective. This paper describes a component of a larger project, to make an interactive gallery illustrating ideas that will be an educational tool to improve understanding and inspire students. We review two typical aims for interaction and some examples of visual techniques that may help.