Approach to evaluate a user interface based on "the function it communicates", a personal interpretation derived from reflection of the meaning of GUI components and interaction for the user and the user experience. Presentation at NordiCHI 2014 8th Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction Helsinki, Finland October 27, 2014 ACM Press http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/2639189.2641209 Abstract: This paper introduces an approach for evaluating user interfaces built on visual rhetoric and the rhetorical notion of function. A personal informatics mobile application has been selected to exemplify the application of this approach. Through the results of this example evaluation, this paper discusses the consequence of applying a rhetorical evaluation to a user interface. In this discussion, it is observed that inspecting the function performed by interface components takes into account experiences, communication, and meaning. In addition, it fosters reflection and criticism.

1. Rhetorical Evaluation
of User Interfaces
Omar Sosa-Tzec & Martin A. Siegel
Indiana University Bloomington
8th Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction
October 28, 2014
Helsinki, Finland

2. Context

3. We live in a world !looded with visual information…
Source of image: World Wide Web.

4. Including graphical user interfaces
Source of image: World Wide Web.

5. User interfaces entail meaning
Swipe to
the right
for Like
Swipe to
the le!t
for Nope
Source of image: World Wide Web.

6. The HCI context
We designers and researchers contribute on
deploying artifacts that a!fect people's everyday
lives, including their beliefs and attitudes

7. Approach

8. Rhetorical Function
•The action that a visual artifact communicates
•Personal interpretation based on components
Source of image: World Wide Web.

9. Schema of rhetorical evaluation for user interfaces
evaluator
user interface
Visual Components
Audio Components
Physical Components

10. Schema of rhetorical evaluation for user interfaces
evaluator
function (first detected)
interaction
user interface
Visual Components
Audio Components
Physical Components
reflection
Legitimacy / Soundness

11. Schema of rhetorical evaluation for user interfaces
evaluator
function (first detected)
interaction
other function
user interface
Visual Components
Audio Components
Physical Components
UI Section
(Changes Over Time)
reflection
Legitimacy / Soundness

12. Evaluation
of an app

13. Full: goal tracker by Lemonly

14. Interaction by gestures as embodied commitment
Moving forward

15. Interaction by gestures as embodied commitment
Moving backwards

16. Takeaways
& Conclusion

17. Takeaways
• A rhetorical evaluation involves an anti-intentionalist position

18. Takeaways
• A rhetorical evaluation involves an anti-intentionalist position
• However, interactive systems challenge this idea

19. Takeaways
• A rhetorical evaluation involves an anti-intentionalist position
• However, interactive systems challenge this idea
• Interaction with the system is crucial

20. Takeaways
• A rhetorical evaluation involves an anti-intentionalist position
• However, interactive systems challenge this idea
• Interaction with the system is crucial
• This form of rhetorical evaluation is placed between structural
approaches and hermeneutic approaches

21. Takeaways
• A rhetorical evaluation involves an anti-intentionalist position
• However, interactive systems challenge this idea
• Interaction with the system is crucial
• This form of rhetorical evaluation is placed between structural
approaches and hermeneutic approaches
• This form of rhetorical evaluation fosters re!lection and criticism

22. Conclusion
The goal is obtaining a wider
perspective regarding the design
of interactive systems, one that
takes into account experiences,
communication, and meaning

23. Thanks!
http://uxdesignpractice.com/
http://tzec.com/
http://profmartysiegel.com/
This work is supported in part by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant Award
no. 1115532. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily re!lect
the views of the entire research team or the NSF. Other project team members include
Erik Stolterman, Jordan E. Beck, and Gary Dickson, all from Indiana University.