All too often the user interfaces of the digital media are still difficult to use and hard for the user to navigate. Despite numerous research & development efforts, the massive amounts of data and information on the Internet are often interpreted to users through traditional web pages.

 

According to many experts, the augmented reality, new types of (digital) media channels and increasingly intelligent user interfaces are dramatically altering the ways in which the inter-relationships between time, space, the human being and technology are structured and defined. New user interfaces and media solutions have attracted a great deal of interest by both researchers and the engineers in charge of everyday product development work.

 

Will the changes in how we perceive our environment lead to a transition in the paradigm of space? Many think they will. A tangible transformation has taken and is taking place in the time-space coordinates. The direction is clear: we are facing a situation where digital and virtual dimensions are integrated into the physical, built environment and “real life.” The online and offline worlds are connected to each other in an increasingly organic manner through the hybrid media, mobile communication devices, community services and the social media.

 

The physical environment created by man, such as an urban city space, can be designed to be easily comprehended and navigable – take streets, parks, squares and city center areas around the world. A physical city space also offers natural means to formulate a cognitive map or model, as well as adequate hints on how to look for both necessary services and recreational opportunities. The same should apply to information contexts and Second Life type three-dimensional data environments of the future.

 

The use of appropriate forms and metaphors, as well as an appropriate level of simplification and richness of detail, are important starting points in design processes, whether we are dealing with the physical environment or a virtual data environment. Designers of user interfaces should also keep in mind one crucial prerequisite for learning: experiences improve learning processes! Theoretical models, useful perspectives and tools in such design activity have been developed in the fields of architecture and environmental psychology. These disciplines offer remarkable understanding of how people observe their environment and, as a result, form cognitive maps.

 

In what ways have the Finns been pioneers in the field of user interfaces and digital design? One example of highly interesting information design is the Hitlantis music community (www.hitlantis.com), which was launched at the turn of the current year. Hitlantis is a global meeting place and collaboration arena in indie music, implemented in the spirit of social media and created in Finland. Hitlantis’s user interface innovations have attracted well deserved attention in many parts of Europe.

 

The origin of the Hitlantis user interface is in an urban metaphor that is presented as an abstracted game board. Music makers and listeners are represented by symbols in the user interface. The success of the music makers determines the placement of the symbols in relation to the center of the game board. The user interface shows visually which music genres have active consumers and artists. This reinforces cohesion and community spirit, increasing the users’ browsing and consumption of music.    

 

Navigare necesse est. The word navigation originally refers to seafaring. Today navigation can also be used, for example, in connection of spontaneous information searching and associative surfing in information networks and data environments. The key challenge in information design is to improve the findability and browsability of digital media services.