APJITM UKM

Article Info

Conceptual Model of Visual Design Publishing Website Interface Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) for Farmers

Tengku Siti Meriam Tengku Wook, Hazrul Amry Mohd Noor, Hairulliza Mohd Judi
dx.doi.org/10.17576/apjitm-2025-1401-14

Page 240 - 257

Abstract

This study focuses on the development of a conceptual model for the visual design of the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) website to improve usability for farmers. Currently, the interface design of the MARDI website is not actively implemented due to the high density of information which leads to cognitive overload for users. This study therefore addresses the challenge of improving the usability and effectiveness of the website in providing agricultural information to farmers by taking into account their specific needs and improving accessibility. The aim of this study is to identify the characteristics of interface design for agricultural research, design and develop the related conceptual model, and finally evaluate the usability of the model. The study uses hierarchical task analysis and focus group discussions to analyse user requirements and identify key design elements. Next, a conceptual model is developed using storyboards and prototypes and a usability test is conducted using the System Usability Scale (SUS) to evaluate its effectiveness. The results show that usability has been significantly improved through the strategic organisation of information, the consistent use of multimedia elements and improved navigation features. It is expected that these improvements will optimise the provision of government information to farmers, thereby supporting agricultural development and sustainability. This study provides valuable insights into improving interface design for specific user groups and emphasises the importance of user-centred design principles in the dissemination of government information.