Show message after cancellation

Question

On my website, users can create, edit and cancel event dates

Would it be weird or user-unfriendly to not serve users a message after canceling a date? (it redirects to the overview page)

I'm aiming for a somewhat minimal design. And preferably avoid static "date canceled" notices with OK button or X (close).

But maybe it could just fade away after a second or so

What do you think?

Answer 1

You need to provide some form of feedback to the user that the event date was cancelled.

• According to Lund "Every action should have a reaction."
• Jacob Nielson's first of 10 principles of user interface design state "The system should always keep users informed about what is going on, through appropriate feedback within reasonable time."
• Alan Cooper calls out the importance of an iteration loop which provides action, feedback, evaluation, and reaction.

The act of redirecting to an overview page would not provide appropriate feedback that the event date was cancelled.

A common pattern is the one you mention of displaying a success message on your overview page that would read "The picnic event on 02/24/2015 has been cancelled." This message could fade away after a few seconds. Its best to test (i.e. guerrilla usability test) the message fade with a few users to determine an appropriate amount of time for the message to be properly read and understood, but not stick around longer than its needed.

Answer 2

You really need to show a message, or else people won't know what happened. It could be as easy as an inlined message

^{download bmml source – Wireframes created with Balsamiq Mockups}

You could also visually treat it so it's not even with a bounding box, but just a text. As long as they know that it was deleted (with a confirmation), you should be fine.

Answer 3

Would it be weird or user-unfriendly to not serve users a message after canceling a date? (it redirects to the overview page)

Yes. Don't do that. Ever. The answer by Benjamin S above elaborates on the reasons why tjat should never be done and points to excellent resources.

I'm aiming for a somewhat minimal design. And preferably avoid static "date canceled" notices with OK button or X (close).

You don't have to have a boring, standard display. Have a modal with a great, entertaining or appropriately humorous display that clearly states to the user that the date was cancelled. You mentioned "fading out." That great image can fade in and fade out - what ever is appropriate to your site.