( U I DESIGNS )
U I stands for USER INTERFACE. The user interface is the graphical layout of an application. It consists of a button user clicks on, the text they read, the images, the sliders, text entry, fields and all the rest of the items the user interacts with. This includes screen layout, transition, interface, animations and every single micro interaction.
Any sort of visual element, interaction or animation must all be designed. The UI designers decide what the application is going to look like. They have to choose color schemes and button shapes – The width of lines and the font for text. UI designers create the look and feel of an application’s user interface.
UI designers are graphic designer. They are concern with aesthetic. It is upto them to make sure application’s interface is attractive, visually stimulating and themed appropriately to match the purpose and personality of the app. And they need to make sure every visual element feels united, both aesthetically and in purpose.
User Interface design has grown substantially over the past few years, and has blossomed into one of the most creative, innovative and executing field in tech.
User Interface ( UI ) design is a process, designers use to build interfaces in software or computerized devices, focusing on looks or styles. Designers aim to create interfaces which users fid easy to use and pleasurable. UI design refers to graphical user interfaces and other forms– Example voice controlled interfaces etc.
User Interfaces are the access points where users interact with design. They come in three formats : -
Ø Graphical User Interfaces ( GUIs ) : -
A GUI is a system of interactive visual component for computer software. A GUI displays objects that convey information, and represent action that can be taken by the user. The objects change color, size or visibility when the user interacts with them. GUI objects include icons, cursors and buttons. The graphical elements are sometimes enhanced with sound, or visual effects like transparency and drop shadows. The GUI was first developed at Xerox PARC by Alan Kay, Douglas Engelbart, and a group of other researchers in 1981. Later, APPLE introduced the LISA computer with a GUI on January 19, 1983.
Ø Voice- Controlled Interfaces ( VUIs ) : -
VUIs are the primary and supplementary visual, auditory and tactile interfaces that enable voice interaction between people and devices. Simple stated, a VUI can be anything from a light that blinks when it hears your voice to an automobile entertainment console. People mostly use voice search when driving, although any situation where is not able to touch the screen (Example when exercising or cooking or when trying to multitask at work), offers an opportunity for voice interaction. Example SIRI on IPhone, ALEXA on Amazon Devices.
Ø Gesture Based Interfaces : -
Gesture recognition is a mix on language technology and computer science which helps in achieving interpretation of human gestures with the use of mathematical algorithms. Any kind of movement made by human body is a gesture and according to current researches, gesture technology is now focusing more on emotion gestures, hand and face gestures. This technology is playing a very important role in many fields such as smartphones, tablets and other devices, automobiles transit sector electronics gaming sector.
User Interface design is important because it can make or break your customer base. It creates fewer problems, increase user involvement, perfects functionality and creates a strong link between your customer and your website. A good user interface provides a user friendly experience allowing the user to interact with the software or hardware in a natural and intuitive way.
Most hardware devices also include a user interface, though it is typically not as complex as a software interface. A common example of a hardware with a user interface is a remote control. A typical TV remote has a numeric keypad, volume and channel button, mute and power button and input selector and other buttons that perform various functions. This set of buttons and the way they are laid out on the controller makes up the user interface. Other devices, such as digital camera, audio mixing consoles and stereo system also have a user interface.
Good user interface design facilitates finishing the task at hand without drawing unnecessary attention to itself. Graphic design and typography are utilized to support its usability, influencing how the user performs certain interactions and improving the aesthetic appeal of the design; design aesthetics may enhance or detract from the ability of users to use the functions of the interface. The design process must balance technical functionality and visual elements (e.g., mental model) to create a system that is not only operational but also usable and adaptable to changing user needs.
Interface design is involved in a wide range of projects, from computer systems, to cars, to commercial planes; all of these projects involve much of the same basic human interactions yet also require some unique skills and knowledge. As a result, designers tend to specialize in certain types of projects and have skills centered on their expertise, whether it is a software design, user research, web design, or industrial design.
UI designers need to make sure the visual language they choose fits the class of application they’re writing. They’re trying to predict user expectations. If your team is designing a travel app, it’s important to research how other travel apps have been developed in the past. Which ones worked? Which ones didn’t? There are design lessons to be learned from the work others have done before.
CONCLUSION : -
At the end, let answer some questions about this topic :
Ø What is UI design, and why is it important?
Ø What does a UI designer do?
Ø What is a user interface?
Ø What are some of the most important elements of a user interface?
Ø What are the best tools for creating a user interface
Ø What are the principles of good UI design?
Ø What is responsive UI design?
Ø What are UI design patterns?
Ready? Let’s get stuck in!
1. What is UI design, and why is it important?
Before we dive into the anatomy of a user interface, let’s start off by taking a look at the field of UI design—and why it’s become such a vital tool for connecting with your users.
UI design, also known as user interface design, refers to the aesthetic design of all visual elements of a digital product’s user interface; namely the product’s presentation and interactivity. UI design is often confused with UX design, also known as user experience design. While UI and UX designers work closely together, the two fields refer to separate aspects of the design process.
UI designer designs the interface of an app using a UI design tool.
2. What does a UI designer do?
UI design is a multidisciplinary field that requires UI designers to wear multiple hats as part of one role. While UI designers need a keen visual eye, there’s also a psychological aspect that many don’t consider to be a part of visual design. To design user-friendly interfaces, UI designers need to understand how people work—and how each visual, interactive element shapes their experience. Empathy, adaptability and communication are just a few of the key skills commonly attributed to UI designers.
UI designers are ultimately responsible for making sure the application’s interface is attractive, visually stimulating, and in line with business goals. UI designers are also responsible for ensuring consistency across the board, and often create style guides that can be used throughout the business.
UI designers also have a crucial role to play in designing for accessibility and inclusion. From designing a suite of UI elements, such as buttons, icons, and scrollbars, choosing colors and typefaces, to regularly testing their designs through prototyping, UI designers carefully weigh up what each design choice means for the end user. At the same time, UI designers consider the size and scalability of various UI elements, and whether there is adequate spacing between touchpoints.
3. What is a user interface?
So now that we’ve explored the responsibilities of a UI designer, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of what a user interface actually is.
Put simply, a user interface is the point of human-computer interaction and communication on a device, webpage, or app. This can include display screens, keyboards, a mouse, and the appearance of a desktop. User interfaces enable users to effectively control the computer or device they are interacting with. A successful user interface should be intuitive, efficient, and user-friendly.
4. What are some of the most important elements of a user interface?
User interface elements are the parts we use to build interactive websites or apps. They provide touchpoints for the user as they navigate their way around; from buttons to scrollbars, to menu items and checkboxes.
User interface elements usually fall into one of the following four categories : -
Input Controls : -
Input controls allow users to input information into the system. If you need your users to tell you what country they are in, for example, you’ll use an input control to let them do so.
Navigation Components : -
Navigational components help users move around a product or website. Common navigational components include tab bars on an iOS device and a hamburger menu on an Android.
Informational Components : -
Informational components share information with users. This includes notifications, progress bars, message boxes, and pop-up windows.
Containers : -
Containers hold related content together, such as accordions. An accordion is a vertically stacked list of items that utilizes show/hide functionality.