Design of Internet-based educational software

Addison-Wesley is a textbook publisher offering companion software for tutorials, homework, and tests. I was hired to redesign the interface for their math software.

CHALLENGE
The biggest challenge was avoiding screen clutter. The interface needed to present many things in addition to the content -- navigation, helpers and multimedia, symbol and formula palettes, and so on. Making this feel clean and simple would be a challenge.

SOLUTION
With so many things to look at, it was important to guide the reader's eye. The content was emphasized by having it float in front; the surrounding frame recedes with calming tints, and simple one-color icons.

We also reduced the number of controls by using context-sensitive buttons at the bottom. When a user is working on a problem, the buttons check their answer. When a problem is completed, they navigate to the next exercise. This "one button navigation" simplifies the display and the the flow of tutorials and tests.

MY ROLE
All interface and visual design

This software is part of Addison-Wesley's MathXL and MyMathLab family of subscription-based products.
www.aw.com/math