I never really considered instructions in very much depth. I just complained and spent hours putting something together if it had bad instructions for assembly or managed to put it together in a (relatively) short amount of time if it had good instructions. I basically suck at assembling things, so I often blame myself when instructions seem confusing. But after looking at instructions in more depth in this class. I have found that there definitely are some GOOD instructions and BAD instructions.
I think that one of the most important things to consider when writing instructions is the audience that will be using the instructions. The person writing the instructions should know EXACTLY who their target audience is and put themselves in their audience's shoes. This can become difficult when you begin to looking at products that a variety of people are going to use. However, products with a varied audience should always have a clear format and voice to their instructions that is readable for all.
Another element that I think is important for most instructions is illustrations. If the instructions can be understood better with pictures, then I think that the illustrations become as important, if not more important than than the actual words in the directions, depending on what you are looking at. I mean who wants to read all of the information below just to put together a model airplane??
However, when using pictures, it's more important that an appropriate number of pictures are used. Otherwise, the audience might just become MORE confused with the instructions. Some of Ikea's instructions are an example of this problem. Ikea uses no words in their instructions, so if you get stuck you pretty much just have to interpret the drawings or call Ikea...or do what the guy in the "Ikea instructions" below does...
Okay, so hopefully no one has shot themselves in the face because of confusing instructions, but my point is...it's important to have a happy medium between text and illustrations, and it is also important to have a clear and precise style of writing when designing instructions.
I agree completely. If the instructions make you want to stick a shotgun to your face they probably are inadequate. I believe that effective instructions typically must include a good mix of text and photos to adequately describe a situation at least when it comes to technical things like how to assemble a piece of furniture. Another thing to consider is that though you may know your target audience, they may have various abilities even though they are part of the same audience. Appropriately dealing with this situation can prove difficult.
ReplyDeleteCouldnt agree more. Anything visual to go along with written instructions, even though you may not have to have it, always can help or at least reassure that the follower is on the right track.
ReplyDeleteGoogle recently came out with their new navigation program that runs off google maps. Now whenever you are traveling somewhere using a GPS you have a birds eye view, AND a street view of where you should be going. Can it get any easier?