0021 settings error display

Settings error display

• Status: Accepted
• Date: 2021-03-09

Context and Problem Statement

For settings, there is a minimum and maximum value allowed for customizing volume and timer lengths. What is the best way to clue the user on the fact that their invalid input is not being accepted?

Decision Drivers

• We wanted to allow the user to understand that there are limits on the input, not that it's broken/glitched.

Considered Options

• Window alert
• Separate element for more info
• Red border alert

Decision Outcome

Chosen option: We chose option 3, the red border alert, because it seemed like the simplest and smoothest option that fully conveyed the idea that we would not allow values over or under a certain point while being the easiest to implement and not being annoying.

Pros and Cons of the Options

Window alert

• Pros: Simple implementation, most explicit in its meaning
• Cons: Could be considering annoying

Separate element for more info

• Pros: Clear and intuitive meaning
• Cons: More difficult implementation compared to other options

Red border alert

• Pros: Simple implementation, relatively clear meaning, doesn't interrupt anything
• Cons: Least explicit of the other options