Memorability

Memorabiltiy is the idea of how one can remember things, actions and ideas. It is the quality or state of being memorable. When discussing memorability, one might ask: "Is this worth being remembered?". This concept is used in relation to usability (in interactive design). For example, a user enters a website and performs a task. Then the user returns to the same site and remembers how to performs those task. Memorability also ties into the idea of learnability in interactive design. This is important because not everyone uses an application everyday and thus one needs to make sure that they remember how to use it. How many times have we all gone through a training exercise with someone who knew the system only to come back to it and be completely confused? This is the issue that memorability tries to address. Memorability tries to convey the easiest and most efficient way to learn and remember an application.
 * Memorability**

you need to make sure that they remember how to use it. In some ways, memorability can be tied to learnability in that it works in the dark recesses of our brains, with cues reminding a user how to use a particular function. The concept of memorability, within the usability context, is that a user can leave a program and, when he or she returns to it, remember how to do things in it. How many times have we all gone through a training exercise with someone who knew the system only to come back to it and be completely confused? This is the issue that memorability tries to address.

As a result, you will find that some of the memorable things are usually due to one or two factors:
 * An action from the user had a reaction that the user did not necessarily expect. If that reaction left the user with a good feeling, he or she will remember it. The opposite is true too. This is similar to putting one’s hand into a fire: you may do it a first time and get burned; The next time you see an open flame, you’re not going to put your hand on it (unless you //want// to get burned). In that case, the action caused a reaction that people remember.
 * Some symbol, icon, or other visual presentation type that allows the user to make a free association with the task at hand. For example, the “Home” icon on most browser is a little house. The reason for this is that people assume that this house is their home. Thus the home concept is communicated to them via a visual cue.

1. A user must remember how to perform a task that has already been done. Good interactive design should allow a user do this well. 2. A good interactive design with memorability in mind allows the user to easily learn. 3. If an interactive design is done well, the user will remember it. Thus, designing for memorability is important since you want users to go back. 4. Often, images are used as a visual cue to help in memorability.
 * Summary** (for how memorability is important for interactive design):

sources: Louis, Tristan. "Usability 101: Memorability". June 19, 2003. TNL.net. January 12, 2008.  "Memorability". 2000. The Free Dictionary. January 12, 2008 

added by: manwaiw