Real time monitor
The Design Need:
You need to display information that is changing constantly and the user needs to be able to react to these changes.
Design Examples:
Design Solution:
Display the changing data using visualisation methods that can display the changes in real time, such as line graphs or changing numbers. These visualisations are often used in dashboards. Create a monitor or infographic that changes in real time according to the changing data. When designing the monitor you should ensure that you:
- Choose a visualization method that fits the needs of your content
- Decide whether your users need to be able to track changes over time
- Attract attention to specific alerts or dramatically changing data. You can use Gestalt design principles to attract attention to the right element
- Provide ways for users to react immediately to changing data, e.g. double click on a certain stock value to buy or sell.
When to use:
You should use this design pattern if:
- You need to display data that changes in real time
- The user needs to be able to monitor constantly changing data
- The user needs to be able to react immediately to certain changes
Why use this solution (rationale):
Displaying time-critical data in a static way slows reaction time too much. If data changes constantly it should be displayed that way so users are able to interpret it appropriately.
More info elsewhere:
- Gestalt theory on www.wikipedia.org
- Gestalt principles on http://graphicdesign.spokanefalls.edu/
- Real time monitor design pattern on http://quince.infragistics.com/
