Reference information
Authors: Jan Meskens, Kris Luyten, Karin Coninx
Where: UIST 2010, October 3–6, 2010, New York, New York, USA
Summary
Design tool Macros (D-Macs) is a multi-device GUI builder that allows designers to automate repetitive design actions. This provides a new strategy of automating multi-device user interface design by capturing and reusing design actions across designers and user interfaces. This was inspired by the need for development on multiple platforms for the same application, which can be very tedious and time-consuming. Some key features of D-Macs automating and repeating design actions; providing feedback so designers can see what is happening with the system; generalizing recorded actions if they can be applied to other design contexts than the one in which these actions were captured, which prevents designers from having to learn a new UI for every new platform.
Users start D-Macs by specifying the target platforms. Actions include direct manipulation, property updates, copy/paste, and tab-switching to switch between devices. Actions can be visualized as text descriptions with an image icon or as a key frame animation, and can then be shared with other designers to view. Error handling is accomplished by a smooth error assistance mechanism that works with suggestions and highlighted regions in order to guide designers towards resolving errors.
The paper features two case studies, demonstrating the creation and action sequences of making a news video explorer and image gallery on desktop, web and mobile platforms.
The design process of D-Macs. Source: publication
Discussion
I would have liked it if the designers conducted a external user study to further evaluate the system. But still, this seemed like a clever implementation for a very important problem. The need addressed is only becoming more prevalent as mobile devices become more popular and the variety of mobile device operating systems increases.
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