Assessment of User Interface and its impact on users - University Name

This report provides an in-depth assessment of User Interface (UI) and its impact on users, exploring the evolution of UI, user experience (UX), and the concept of digital attention crisis. It examines key aspects such as skeuomorphism, the 'Time Well Spent' movement, and the ethical considerations of UI design, particularly regarding digital addiction and wellbeing. The report delves into the history of UI, from early systems like Xerox PARC to modern interfaces, and discusses the rise of Voice User Interfaces (VUI). It also addresses the concerns raised by scholars and tech experts about the manipulative nature of UI and its potential to hijack users' attention, offering insights into the future of UI development and the importance of designing for ethical and limited use of digital tools.

Running head: ASSESSMENT OF USER INTERFACE AND ITS IMPACT ON THE
USERS
ASSESSMENT OF USER INTERFACE AND ITS IMPACT ON THE USERS
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author’s Note

Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Key Points..............................................................................................................................3
Discussion..................................................................................................................................7
Findings....................................................................................................................................24
Conclusion................................................................................................................................25
References................................................................................................................................27

Introduction
Interaction is one of the key aspects of human life and it is one of the most frequently
used processes by the humans. The interaction of humans extends from verbal to non-verbal
and human to machines. The discussed study is dedicated to user interaction, which is
abbreviated as UI. User interface refers to everything that is designed in an information
device such as the display, keypads, mouse, appearance and others with which a user
interacts (Ciolacu and Beer 2016). The information device may be a computing system,
mobile devices, applications or any other information system, which deems need for the
user’s response for presenting output. In a research conducted by Adobe UI is one of the
most crucial aspects that define the use of an Information system for the users (Wang
2018).
There have been recent movements to limit the impact that technology is having on
the individual lives. Tristan Harris, Co-founder of Center for Humane Technology, who is
considered to be many things from a philanthropist, entrepreneur and many others raised
question over the addition that is caused by the UI and digital world. Harris along with
several other Tech and social scholars believes that technology is hijacking the mind of its
users (Harris 2016). One of the crucial factors that is leading the addiction of the technology
is the UI because it is human nature to get addicted to the things that are comfortable and
attractive.
“Is UI design is affecting the users on how they are spending their time?
Time well saved, time well spent, time wasted?”
Hence, the discussion above could be summarised to state that time spend by a user
on a digital platform is directly proportional to UI of the Platform. Hence, there are

certain questions that rises and needs to be assessed so that a proper framework for the UI can
be developed so that the use of the platforms are ethical and the human stays in control
and is not manipulated by technology. The questions in discussion has been listed as
follows:
i. What is the impact of UI on the users?
ii. Does an attractive and comfortable UI design is making the users addictive towards
the technology or is it supporting in leveraging of the technology?
iii. What is the role of skeuomorphism in deciding the user’s behaviour over the use of
technology?
iv. What are the changes that can be expected in the UI in context with the current
movements that are going for effective and limited use of the digital tools?
v. Are we designing for a well time spend or well time saved?
Key Points
History of UI
Evolution of the User Interface
The history of UI can be found as early as 1968 when Douglas Engelbart
demonstrated an oN-Line System, which reflected an interconnection between multiple
computers. The NLS abbreviation for oN-Line System consisted of display, mouse and
keyboard. However, Engelbart was not credited for the achievement until late 90’s. The
advancement of the Xerox PARC from the Californian research and development company.
The development of the WIMP system which is the acronym for Windows, Icons, Menus and
Pointer started the age of interaction with the machinery or contrastingly called as User
Interface. Xerox Alto was the first personal computer launched which had a display,
graphical windows, three button mouse, laser printers and operated Ethernet network.

However, the high cost and bulky size of the system lead it to failure. The successor of the
Xerox Alto by the name of Xerox star changed the scenario for UI because it was a
commercially successful UI and paved way for the further advancement of the UI. Apple
followed the path with Lisa but earned success in the year 1984 with Apple Macintosh.
Time to change the visage of technology has come
In the meanwhile, Motorola was progressing with the mobile devices that had only
keypads for the interaction purposes. 1992 is possible the most prominent year in the history
of UI as Microsoft launched new computers with Windows 3.1 operating system that had a
very attractive and smooth UI. The start button, task bar and similar other features eased the
interaction between human and machines. Furthermore, in the year 1997 and 1998, Nokia
took its step towards capturing the mobile market with attractive features and unavoidable UI.
They included clock, calendar, and calculator along with one of the most popular game of all
time “Snake”. Later Windows 1998, 2000, other macOS, and other operating systems with
attractive UI paved way for a UI dominated technological world that we are living in today.
Windows XP and LCD screen presented by the Samsung for computers and mobiles
respectively are considered the milestone for the UI of modern age and it is witnessing
continuously from then.
The discussion over the history has enabled the author to understand the
development of the UI and how it has influenced the lives of individuals throughout
history. Furthermore, assessment over the history has enabled the author to understand
that UI has been designed to attract more and more customers over time and it has been
successful over the time. However, recent claims such as that of Tristan Harris and others
are challenging the improvement of UI in context with the attraction and comfort offered
by it.

User Interface
User Interface is everything that is designed in an information tool such as the
display, keypads, mouse, appearance and others with which a user interacts (Shneiderman et
al. 2016). The user interface is the most prominent feature that enable decision making in the
machines or other digital modes. Even in case of the Artificial Intelligent tools, an initial user
input is required and for the continuous learning of the AI tool it is crucial that it keeps on
feeding over the data of the user’s activities and decisions so that it can make aware decision.
Hence, for proper and kinetic output of any digital component UI is potentially the most
crucial component.
User Experience (UX)
User Experience is the term that is often confused with the UI; however, it is a
completely separate terminology that comes associated with the UI. UX refers to the attitude
and emotions of an individual, post using a particular system, product or service. It consists
of affective, experimental, meaningful, and practical along with the valuable aspects of the
HCI (human Computer Interaction). It even includes the perception of an individual over the
system’s efficiency, ease of use and utility (Monk 2018). User experience in itself is a
subjective terminology that cannot be measured in units and is about the individual thought
and perception in context to the system. Another reason that there is no unit of measurement
for the discussed terminology can be supported by the fact that technology is dynamic in
nature and so the use and perception of the users varies with change (Ludolph 2018).
Therefore, no fixed unit of measurement for the UX can be developed.
The understanding of the terminology is crucial because it is one of the most
prominent factors that would assist in the understanding of the UI and its impact. The

positive the UX is for the users while using an UI, the powerful the impact will be
furthermore, the UX is also the factor that will decide whether the development in the
field of UI is for time well spend or time well saved.
Digital Attention Crisis
Different researchers and scholars have stated that the tech industry has contributed to
attention crisis because of ignorance towards “Digital Wellbeing” (Besana et al. 2018).
Google in Android has even inducted some tools that are dedicated towards building a digital
wellbeing and in the process curbing the smartphone usage (Hayley 2018). ZenScreen has
also launched application that is aimed at limiting the interaction of the user and smart
devices so that they can master the technology usage (Jose 2018). Understanding of the
crisis is crucial because it will assist in gaining an insight into the movement of the UI
and how it will be impacted based on the usage of technology and its addiction.
“Nothing can succeed without getting people’s attention…”
Skeuomorphism
Skeumorphism is the concept of design that is dedicated to designing items in such a
manner that it resembles its real-world counterparts (Wu et al. 2015). It offers ease of use and
high level of satisfaction to the users and hence, is highly used for designing the UI of a
digital tool. The discussed factor is crucial because it is one factor, that defines the
attractiveness and satisfaction level of the customer.
Time Well Spent
Time Well Spent is a movement that is aimed at shifting what is delivered by the
technological firms towards the expectance that is expected by the customers (Pollart et al.
2015). Its motive is to spent well time with the technology rather than seducing the customers

into the screen time. The discussed movement is indulging a large audience size and even the
big tech giants such as Facebook are supporting the movement. The importance of the
discussion is that the discussed movement will define the steps UI development of the future
digital tools. Hence, a discussion over the movement is crucial because it is dictating the
perception of the people towards UI and will continue to do so in the future.
Discussion
The term “Digital Attention Crisis” has raised question over the designing of the
Information systems, which extends from websites, applications, digital devices and all the
components of digital world. As discussed above, Harris along with several other Tech and
social scholars believes that technology is hijacking the mind of its users (Harris 2016). He
does not oppose the use of technology but believes that the technology should be used
ethically and designing of the digital devices or platforms is a key to it. The discussed
individual is also leading a movement, “Time Well Spent” that is dedicated towards ethical
use of the digital platforms. Even the Facebook who earns most of its income come from the
views and the time spent by its users on the platform is supporting the movement (Butler
2018). Furthermore, recently Apple received an open letter where they have been requested
that the technology is spoiling the youth and urged for new parental controls. The request is
based on the fact that the technology is making the young addictive and they are missing on
the opportunities and beauty of the real world. The concern also raises question over the
vitality of the technology in human life.
Visual UI is not the limit for the technology developers and to offer further ease to the
users, the technology firms are now offering Voice User Interfaces (VUI) (Foster 2014). VUI
refers to the interaction between human and devices through the use of sound waves that is
the verbal interaction. Justin Baker, a UI designer has defined VUI, as “Voice User Interfaces

(VUI) are the primary or supplementary visual, auditory, and tactile interfaces that enable
voice interaction between people and devices.” The devices are designed to develop use
case matrixes that stores the samples of the user and the accent used by them to update
themselves and present the outcome accordingly.
Hence, to summarise the above discussion it would be justified to state that the
technological firms are investing their time, effort and resources to offer better and enhanced
UI experience to its users so that they can become a competitive leader and earn revenue in
the process. However, the competitive nature of the firms is citing adverse impact on the
users and their individual life. According to Smart (2018), “digital technologies play an
increasingly important role in shaping the profile of human thought
and action, and it is important that we understand the role of technologies”. While
Jasanoff (2016), in his book have stated that, the technology is changing the society and its
way of the thinking, which can be crucial for the future generation.
Cases
UI as discussed above is one of the most crucial aspect that derives the customer’s
attention towards a product. One of the prime example of the above discussed factor is the
case of “Body Ecology”, an online store that deals in diet products (Dayton, Mcfarland and
Kramer 2018). The website had a drop- down menu. However, the customers were not
satisfied with the menu styling because the drop-down menu offered only texts and no
attractive features such as picture or animation was involved with it which h is evident from

the image below.
However, with a change in the UI from text drop down menu to product page with lots of
images and description below the products increased the revenue of the firm by around 56%
in just two weeks (Simpson 2018). The firm still had drop down menu but it is limited to an
extend and more detailing have been made making the UI more attractive.

Adverse to the above case Century Hearing Aids, changed their UI to offer library
formatting from a detailed product page so that the customers may find ease of searching
products. The changes were made based on the finding that one of the most searched product
on their e-business was the in-the-ear product, which they were not selling due to low margin.
However, making the changes made the “in-the-ear” their most sold product and increased
the overall revenue by 300% (Kantorowitz 2017). The reason for the massive surge was
based on the fact that the users found ease of searching the products when they are in library
formatting and then moving to a detailed product description along with image helped them
to gain an insight into the product details. The images attached below refers to the before and
after UI of the discussed e-commerce website and how they witnessed change.