Visibility is a technique generally applied to complex system to allow the user to see the several statuses of the system as it runs through it processes. The idea behind it that a user can understand what is the system doing, if needs user input and/or what is next in the process. When applied correctly, this concept structures the information so the user sees what is needed at the moment, and if required, s/he is allowed to dig deeper for more information. On the same line, this concepts hides what is not important for a user, showing just what matters.
Lidwell, Holden & Butler: Universal Principles of Design.
Example from original source
Example not cited by original source
Sourcehttps://i.ytimg.com/vi/xJ8BzNGaLVg/maxresdefault.jpg
Example from real life
Only the most important things is visible, nothing more, nothing less.
Visibility has great impact on user experience in this fast-paced era. In my opinion, in addition to helping users to understand the system’s statue, visibility, also helps users to become more patient while system is processing. As we all might already know, today the users are not as patient as before which means that if they do not see any feedback from the system in couple of seconds, they assume that the system is not working. One of the times that visibility is important is when a user is downloading or installing an application which depending on the software it might take from minutes up to hours. Visibility can prevent user from interrupting the process.
The following link is a good example of the visibility that systems provides:
https://images.sftcdn.net/images/t_optimized,f_auto/p/43205e9e-96d0-11e6-b445-00163ec9f5fa/2800460514/internet-download-manager-screenshot.png
Great examples of Visibility! By far one of the most important aspects in design in my opinion. This strategy prevents users from going fishing for that they are looking for on a page and also prevents drop offs. http://www.givegoodux.com/visibility-5-principles-interaction-design-supercharge-ui-2-5/
Visibility is one of the most common and important design principles out there. It can make or break a user’s experience with the product. For example, if a car dashboard falls to visually distinguish with mode the engine is on, there could be dire consequences. https://www.foreignaffairsauto.com/blog/guide-to-car-dashboard-for-new-driver
Visibility also has such a powerful trust element to it. We all value transparency because it makes us feel like we can make better decisions and so that we feel like we are not being taken for a ride. Google search result definitely does a good job as crafting a feeling of high visibility. When you search for something, you get several elements that provide high visibility. There are news plugs, Wikipedia plugs, plugs for high traffic sights, alternate search results, navigation pathways and the number of pages with search results. http://www.google.com
Visibility
Visibility is an extremely important design principle when it comes to users and their need to be able to easily view design affordances throughout the design of a digital or physical product. It is the visual aspect of a digital or physical product that allows the user to figure out what product means, what a product does and what a product will do.
Visibility: 5 Principles of Interaction Design To Supercharge Your UI (2 of 5)
http://www.givegoodux.com/visibility-5-principles-interaction-design-supercharge-ui-2-5/
Juan, thought you might enjoy this article about new prescription labels. Great example of visibility to show the patient when to take medication (scheduling), with/without food.
https://www.fastcodesign.com/90145401/cvs-taps-a-design-legend-to-reinvent-the-prescription-label-next-stop-the-pharmacy
This design strategy has such huge implications if not implemented correctly (or at all). From simple things such as car dashboards showing the engine check light when something is wrong, to more extreme examples such as warnings displayed in nuclear power stations control rooms. In designs with a single purpose, such as the pedestrian crossing, this can be implemented well. But where a system has to provide feedback over many statuses, this is even more important because it needs to be used in combination with other information architecture principles to ensure what is visible at one time is the most pressing.
Great pick, Juan! I love how you distill a pretty big/multi-dimensional design principle into a few words and it’s easily understandable.
An obvious example would be fire alarm – it’s always there, it’s everywhere, and we all know we are not supposed to pull it for fun!
Jeff