Multi-Layered Design

Multi-Layered Design (Ben Shneiderman) is a way to adapt applications to multiple user categories with different knowledge and skills. The application is divided into layers which could be activated one by one. Each layer holds a set of functionality. When the users have gained confidence and learned the first layer they can progress to layers with more task functionality. We are conducting a study at the Clinic of Oral Medicine at Sahlgrenska University hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden. The user group is heterogeneous and there are many different needs. The environmental context is also affecting the productivity within the applications used. The design of the interfaces should be adapted to the various types of users at hand. Multi-Layered Design has therefore been tested for a new application, MedImager, within the MedView project. In this paper the theoretical framework of the Multi-Layered Design will be presented and the application in which the method is used. The user groups have been identified and a prototype has been produced. We are also presenting the work towards a general work process for identification of the layers in the Multi-Layered Design. Future work and plans for Multi-Layered Design will be outlined.