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What is "progressive disclosure"?

Progressive disclosure is an interaction design technique that sequences information and actions across several screens in order to reduce feelings of overwhelm for the user. By disclosing information progressively, you reveal only the essentials and help the user manage the complexity of feature-rich sites or applications.

Progressive disclosure means "to move complex and less frequently used options out of the main user interface and into secondary screens to avoid confusion.
In the Ningaloo we can see that clearly, information has been divided into main and secondary. For example we have multiples of graphs and we have to think about how to place them so that the user doesn’t get overwhelm with information.

The main purpose of the Ningaloo project is to be able to show the effects and consequences of the growth of visitors on all other aspects such as governance, environment, and economy.
Thereby giving the user an idea of how things might be in the coming years. This will enable those concerned to know what impacts their decision will have. That’s why the information should be revealed gradually.

There are multiples of graphs and they had to be classified in the six main ones and the secondary graphs came as filters and pop ups.
In terms of layout also data has been placed in a progressive way. Scenarios have been placed in a clear and visible way so that the user can click on whatever information he wants. Instead of being lead astray he gets what he wants.

Icons and visual aspects have been designed in a way to enable the user to make his way through the information.

Disclosing data gradually helps the user to grasp information more easily. We can also see that there are windows where all graphs are visible and the user can compare different graphs.
It also includes region wise, the overall data is displayed and from them the user can view things as he clicks on the region. This is to enable the user to compare the different graphs and understand the issue well. There is always a way to go back to the main page where from there you can find your way out.

On the graphs the comparison elements are the colours being used. For example different shades of blue have been used to show the differences.

Posted by Upasna on 2009-11-01 16:19:33 | Rating: