Simply Effective? Simplified User Interfaces in Software Tutorials

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jul 2025

Simply Effective? Simplified User Interfaces in Software Tutorials

Pia Bsdurrek Merseburg University of Applied Sciences ; Michael Meng Merseburg University of Applied Sciences

Abstract

Simplified user interfaces (SUIs) refer to a new design technique in technical communication that simplifies screenshots by removing irrelevant elements and highlighting only the essential information. While there is consensus on the benefits of signaling in multimedia learning, there is currently no empirical evidence on the effects of SUIs on user performance. This study reports an eye-tracking experiment that examined whether users can work more effectively and efficiently with a software tutorial containing SUIs instead of unedited pictures without signaling or pictures using conventional signaling techniques. The study also aimed to clarify whether SUIs draw user attention to relevant areas of a picture. Eye tracking and performance measures indicate that SUIs draw user attention successfully, but do not improve user performance compared to unedited screenshot in a tutorial scenario. The results contribute to the question of whether design principles of multimedia learning can be successfully transferred to action-oriented texts.

Journal: Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published: 2025-07-01
DOI: 10.1177/00472816241262221
Open Access: Closed
Topics: multimodality technical communication

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Cites in this index (1)

Meij (1996)

A Closer Look at Visual Manuals

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

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