Mental models
How do seamless digital workflows happen? A special attention to mental models around people's processes may help if you're designing new software.
There are two types of models in software development:
- Functional
- a diagram of how the system fulfils its purpose
- Structural
- the relationship between objects or concepts in the system
In user-centred system design, Don Norman outlines these models:
- System image
- Design model
- User's model (Conceptual model)
Thinkmill's Schema-led design bridges the gap between the software's structural model and user's model.
OOUX's object mapping by Sophia V Prater helps bridge a similar gap and communicates design decisions early.
These approaches help designers decide what aspects of implementation details to hide and show for coherent UX.
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