Creating a successful instructional and interactive design involves in understanding the user’s experience in learning and responding to new skills. User flows and flowcharts are significant in visualising the flow of the experience in a systematic order.
In this post, I will be demonstrating the use of user flows and charts through the process of toasting a bread in the toaster through
User Flow
User flows are text descriptions describing the process of the learning experience in chronical order. The description allows designers to visualise the individual steps a user will take as well as the possible problems they may encounter during the process.
Flow Chart
Flow chart is a design tool in layering out the steps for users to follow to get to the final outcome. The chart is commonly used prior to creating the interactive media or product. Flow charts graphically illustrate the process through symbols of geometric shapes.
- Terminal: Circles are used to indicate the beginning and the end of the process.
- Processing: Rectangles indicates when there is a new step in the process and requires manipulation
- Decision: Diamond indicates a point in the process that requires the user to make a decision. The symbol leads to the possible alternatives in the process and a diamond is the point where it questions the process of a clearer depiction of the flow of the user experience and the specific point where a user may experience difficulties.
Journey through Interactive Design 