User-interface

Usability by intuition

What is User-Interface (UI) design?

User-Interface (UI) design is concerned with human-machine interfaces and interactions. The requirements below are used by research + DESIGN to ensure usage is appropriate for websites, kiosks, and/or industrial equipment.

  1. Functional requirements:
    Key meta-level functional requirements outline what an interface is required to facilitate, and may influence the design process.
  2. Information architecture:
    Plotting the flow of information reveals potential usage pathways, ambiguous duplicity, and unforeseen omissions.
  3. Zero state:
    A zero state is the user’s first experience with the design, and as such, needs to include a suitable introduction.
  4. User conformance:
    Rather than dictating to the user, the user-interface should dovetail, adapt, or motivate for a change in the user's workflow.
  5. Look and feel:
    The general look and feel of the interface is managed by a consistent use of colour, images, typography, and composition.
  6. Language:
    Language should support contextual needs, and, if multilingual usage is expected, universal icons provided.
  7. User feedback:
    Feedback on status, progress, and goal achievements is provided with graphing, colour, and audio.
  8. Navigation:
    Navigation provides the means for a user to understand what is available, how to get there, and where they are currently.
  9. Information granularity:
    A granular information flow allows for secondary detailed information to be hidden and only retrieved when required.
  10. User-input:
    User-input design takes into account user experience, technology platform, and importantly, site-specific nuances.
  11. Backend considerations:
    Server-side hardware is selected based on scale of usage, technical-support, security, and eventual project hand-over.
  12. Legacy considerations:
    Client-side hardware, and in some instances software, has legacy limitations that may dictate user-interface design.
  13. Design evaluation:
    Quick and iterative testing of ideas can be provided through sketches, sticky notes, and numerous third-party applications.