User Interface Design of Small-Display Devices for the Rural Developing World

Abstract

The development of ICT and wireless network offers a potential solution to bridge the digital divide in the rural developing world. ICT solutions from the developed world have been a poor fit in these areas. Because of user constraints in low literacy levels and little user interface experience as well as environmental limitations in insufficient infrastructure, special consideration must be exercised when designing suitable user interfaces for the domain. This thesis discusses the challenges and UI requirements from different angles, and reviews UI designs of four ICT projects that aimed at rural developing regions. A summary of UI design suggestions of small display devices for the rural developing world is collected and discussed in three aspects: user control, information input and displaying output. This study presents only the initial stage in designing an accessible interface for illiterates in the user-centered design process. An experimental field research should be followed in the future.

Key words and terms: user interface design, rural development, ICT