Interface is a means of output that allows users to manipulate the system or to interact with a particular machine or a program run by a computer. Graphic interfaces are slightly different but still allow us to manipulate computer programs. The information that is run by the programme are shown on screens which makes it easier to access files or further programmes. The first graphical interfaces were the sketchpad which was a computer program run written by Ivan Sutherland in the early 1960s.
Since the `1960s, improvements more programs have been made so therefore improves to the graphical interface also had to be made. The WIMP model (windows, icons, menus and pointing) allowed a user to use a mouse to literally click on a window and drag it to the side, this also let users use more than one program at a time.
Software developers such as Apple Macintosh and Microsoft Windows were the first to use the WIMP model and to modernise it to something we still use today. This consists of visual design of the interface, information design, interaction design, functional specifications and, user needs and site objectives(information or user orientated). This is everything that is needed in order to make a software interface attractable to its user.
These interfaces have been improved to the point where we can use it on our mobile phones and access programs through it, such as applications and the ability to access the internet.
Modern social networking sites such as Facebook have used the ability to use graphic interfaces and extend their site from being computer based to being accessible through PDAs (personal digital assistants) which has also been done for a lot of modern websites that want to expand to other platforms. By doing this, information design as well as interaction design will have to be suited to a mobile phone as important information is likely going to be the only things used on the mobile site. However this could change the orientation of the elements of the user experience from user to information, meaning that the overall purpose of the site could potentially change.
The elements of user experience
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