The Malta Independent on Sunday

Designing the ideal User Interface

- Jean Luca Pantallere­sco

signing the product, research is recommende­d as is making use of common elements. These help create a sense of familiarit­y between the user and the product and will produce an easy to navigate interface.

One of the key methods utilised when creating a user interface is visual hierarchy. Visual hierarchy refers to the specific arrangemen­t of elements in a structure that implies importance. When implementi­ng a visual hierarchy, the designer should identify the key aspects of the design and highlight them for the user. This can be done by using methods such as increasing the size of the typography or utilising defined brand colours. You could also break a visual pattern from the norm of the product and create a focal point in the design. If this is done in a dispersed consistent manner it can achieve the desired focalisati­on intended by the designer.

Typography is another very important factor when creating a user interface and should be explored in depth. The design should take advantage of the different combinatio­ns of typography and how they complement each other. Utilising contrast via colour with typography is an effective way to improve focalisati­on and hierarchy. This will guide the user’s attention to the desired location. Colour can not only be used as a mean of contrast but also as a general emotion which sets the tone that reflects the product. Choosing an ideal colour combinatio­n and having a good understand­ing of basic colour psychology will greatly increase the user’s chances in experienci­ng the desired feelings when the product is being viewed. It is also good to note that warm colours such as red, orange, yellow and all in between give off different emotions from cool ones which are green, blue and violet. This is why it is crucial for the designer to identify the desired mood and project an ideal impression. A good balance between heavy and light colours can result in an equal sense of depth in the creation of the design.

The designer should continuous­ly look for feedback to progressiv­ely evolve the product according to the audience’s desired visualisat­ion. Collaborat­ion with a large group of individual­s will always project a finer product. When all is properly discussed and taken into considerat­ion, the product can proceed to its final step of design which is implementa­tion.

 ??  ?? I brings together concepts from interactio­n design, visual design, and informatio­n architectu­re. Like any pre-design stage, UI needs to start by having a good idea of who the target audience will be and how they will interact with the product. Identifyin­g the key traits of every audience will be the fundamenta­l basis of the UI design.When the target audience has been identified, the user interface will focus on two major rules, simplicity and consistenc­y. A UI which is simple and consistent will be easy to understand and interact with. The users should not require a guideline to help them navigate the product as the design itself will guide the user from their initial position to their desired destinatio­n. Colour, typography and other visual hierarchie­s will all help the user with a pleasant visualisat­ion. Consistenc­y should be kept progressiv­e so as to avoid any breakage of the visual immersion created by the experience. Also, when de-
I brings together concepts from interactio­n design, visual design, and informatio­n architectu­re. Like any pre-design stage, UI needs to start by having a good idea of who the target audience will be and how they will interact with the product. Identifyin­g the key traits of every audience will be the fundamenta­l basis of the UI design.When the target audience has been identified, the user interface will focus on two major rules, simplicity and consistenc­y. A UI which is simple and consistent will be easy to understand and interact with. The users should not require a guideline to help them navigate the product as the design itself will guide the user from their initial position to their desired destinatio­n. Colour, typography and other visual hierarchie­s will all help the user with a pleasant visualisat­ion. Consistenc­y should be kept progressiv­e so as to avoid any breakage of the visual immersion created by the experience. Also, when de-
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