Modalities and modes
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Modalities and modes
Two words are used in UI design to describe different ways in which a user can utilize a product. Modality refers to several alternate interfaces to the same product, while mode describes different states of the same interface.
A modality is a path of communication employed by the user interface to carry input and output. Examples of modalities:
• Input — computer keyboard allows the user to enter typed text, digitizing tablet allows the user to create free-form drawing
• Output — computer monitor allows the system to display text and graphics (vision modality), loudspeaker allows the system to produce sound (auditory modality)