Web user interface design strategy: Designing for device independence

Abstract

Until recently, Web services were available only through a desktop web browser. Nowadays, methods of access move beyond the desktop computer towards ubiquitous access through portable devices. As a consequence, users have the chance to interact with a growing diversity of computing devices such as PDAs, smart phones, etc., with diverse characteristics that tend to replace conventional laptop and desktop computers. User interface designers, on the other hand, strive to design usable interfaces to cater for the diverse requirements of these devices. The design strategy proposed in this paper aims at assisting user interface designers in designing for diverse devices recommending a specific line of activities in the process of design. A case study of application of the proposed design strategy is presented, outlining its advantages. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.