The use of websites and web applications has become our daily routine. We use them for communicating, buying products, ordering cabs and many more.
While there are more than hundreds of applications available for you to text your friend, why do you only use one? One of the numerous reasons for this is user interface design.
The process that designers use to create user interfaces in software or electronic devices with a focus on looks or style is known as user interface (UI) design.
We as a user judge designs very quickly because we care about likeability a lot. The points of access through which users engage with designs are called user interfaces. It is the process by which a user engages with a website or app.
Formats Of User Interface
Basically, The user interface consists of 3 major formats: Graphical user interfaces, voice-controlled interfaces, Gesture-based interfaces
1. Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs)
GUIs are systems of interactive visual components where users interact with visual representations. With the help of GUI objects, users receive information and take action. Examples of GUI objects are Buttons, icons, and cursors. A computer’s desktop is an example of a GUI.
2. Voice - Controlled Interfaces (VUIs)
VUI is speech recognition technology where users interact with their voices. Examples of VUIs are Siri on iPhone, Alexa on amazon devices, google home, etc.
3. Gesture-Based Interfaces
It is a system of interactive gesture-based components where users interact with physical gestures to operate. Virtual reality games are an example of Gesture-based interfaces.
What Are The Things To Consider In User Interface Design?
#1. Simplicity
The user interface has to be simple yet easy to navigate. while attempts to be original might take us to the rabbit hole of complexity, the user generally opts for simpler user-friendly designs.
One constantly attempts to be original and think beyond the box as a designer. However, in their attempt to go beyond the box, designers frequently create interfaces that are difficult for people to use and understand.
Therefore, before including a new feature or element, a designer should always ask oneself, “Is it really necessary? ” Are you including this feature because you need it or because you simply like it?
#2. Be consistent
A UI designer must be consistent when creating the design, layouts, language, colors, and typography for the user interface of a website or app.
Users will establish usage habits for how things operate, increasing their effectiveness.
Consistency promotes user familiarity and trust. Imagine arriving at a website with a homepage “serif” font and other pages using a completely different font. This is inconsistent behavior.
This results in a confusing experience that is unprofessional. While creating consistency, you should also keep in mind to use common UI elements.
Users may complete tasks quickly when they notice Common UI features, which over time will increase trust.
Because of his prior experiences, a user can learn how to use other features more quickly if he learns how to get things done.
# 3. Creative Use Of Color And Texture
One of the most crucial components in the design of user interfaces is color and texture. They aid in developing one’s character and personality.
Our moods, emotions, and behaviors might vary depending on color and texture. To generate contrast and depth that arouses the user’s emotions, UI designers should use a variety of colors.
#4. Responsive
The UI should react quickly if it is responsive. The software that powers the interface should also operate quickly.
The user experience is enhanced when an interface loads fast. However, it can be incredibly frustrating to wait for the page to load without knowing how long it will take.
Another definition of responsiveness is that the user receives some feedback from the interface. Users shouldn’t be ignorant about anything. The UI has to inform users of whatever is happening. It ought to inform consumers of their move.
How do you know whether a button on a website has been successfully pressed? To provide users with feedback, the pressed button should show the word “pressed” or change its color.
The “loading…” option or a colorful spinning wheel can also be displayed to keep users interested.
Being responsive also means that you should include a mobile-friendly version when creating the user interface of an app or website. Most individuals enjoy using their mobile phones to browse the internet.
Buttons that are overly small and require a lot of zooming are one of their biggest issues. Don’t allow users to have a negative experience. Make your UI responsive.
5. Be Forgiving
People will still make mistakes no matter how straightforward, understandable, responsive, and consistent your UI design is. Your user interface should be tolerant of mistakes and errors.
How well you react to and overlook those errors will reveal how good a designer you are. Create options to undo some actions.
By pointing out which of their actions was incorrect and how they might correct it, a forgiving interface will use teachable solutions.
This can prevent users from making expensive errors. For instance, if a user entered a date in the incorrect format while filling out a form, the form should not be started over.
There should be an option to only alter the date section. Another example is the ease with which they can undo a mistaken delete.
6. Be Efficient And Organized
A software application’s or website’s user interface serves as a mode of transit that transports you to various “places”. Different buttons, pages, and their roles are implied by the “places”.
You can use those functions more quickly and conveniently with the help of a good UI. Being effective requires more than just making your work go more quickly.
Moreover, to be an efficient interface is to identify what the user is trying to accomplish in detail and then after, just let them go ahead and do what they want to achieve without any fuss.
You must determine how your application should “operate” – what features are required, and what objectives are you attempting to meet? Instead of just giving them access to a list of functions, provide an interface that makes it simple for them to fulfill their goals.
7. Make It Clear And Accurate
We as a user like familiar design features and elements that are simple to use. User interface design’s primary goal is to make it possible for users to interact with your system by communicating its content and functionality.
People will become confused and frustrated when they can’t figure out how to use your application or where to go to do their work on your website.
To provide consumers with clarity as this is where they tend to glance first, most websites position a navigation menu at the top of the page and the company logo in the top left corner.
A terrible user interface causes people to become more confused. Confusion and irritation result from incomplete explanations of the control buttons and functionalities.
They will quit the website with a negative user experience if they don’t understand it. Do not overwhelm people with too many controls and functions. keep it short and sweet and straightforward.
Also, keep in mind that overly describing the purpose and names of other elements will have the reverse impact of what is intended. Sometimes, users will click the incorrect button and land on the wrong page.
Hover explanations are one of the best features you can give the user to fix this problem and make things clear. The hover explanation will put your doubts to rest by giving you all the details regarding the icons’ and buttons’ functionalities.
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