(PUDG) User Interface Design Lesson
User Interface Design
People interact with computers every day. Those interactions occur through some type of user interface.
A user interface is a point of interaction between a computer and humans. Nearly all software applications today use a graphical user interface, or GUI, that consists of consistent and recognizable elements such as windows, panels, buttons, menus and icons to make the interface user friendly and intuitive. Hardware devices such as a keyboard and mouse provide ways for users to interact with the interface.
User interface design principles are guidelines for developing user interfaces. A user-centered design (UCD) puts the end user at the center of the process. They focus on the usability of the interface, which is how effectively, efficiently and satisfactorily a user can interact with it.
Explore each section in the tabs below to learn more.
The Structure Principle
- Structure the user interface in a clear, consistent way so the user understands what to do and performs the same actions in similar situations.
- Organize related things together, and keep unrelated things separate.
The Simplicity Principle
- Make common tasks easy with good shortcuts that are meaningful.
- Reduce clutter and eliminate any unnecessary or irrelevant elements.
The Visibility Principle
Good designs don't overwhelm users with alternatives or confuse with unneeded information.
- Keep the most commonly used options for a task visible and the other options easily accessible to reduce distractions.
The Feedback Principle
- Provide appropriate, clear, and timely feedback, such as short messages, so the user sees the results of actions and knows what is going on with the system.
- Ensure that any instructions are concise and focused on supporting the user's task.
The Tolerance Principle
Provide action reversal to keep the user in control.
- Prevent the user from making serious errors.
- Suggest a solution to help users recover from any errors.
- Allow users to abandon or reverse an unwanted action.
Reuse
- Reuse component and behaviors to reduce the need for users to rethink and remember.
- Allow users to perform the same sequence of actions in similar situations, and the terminology used throughout menus, windows and dialog boxes should be consistent.
Now you are ready to evaluate user interfaces based on these six User Interface Design Principles.
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