Desktop UI: Let's do it clever
April 13, 2012
When talking about User Interface, User Experience or Usability, the web or mobile applications are mostly discussed. However, we still need to do the graphic user interface design on the classic PC, too.
Below you can find some slides about the main principles of good desktop GUI design, originally intended for an internal company workshop. And in fact, there is no difference between designing a well-known software suite or a tiny configuration tool intended for a few people.
Shortly:
- Design your applications to make your users happy
- Define your user group
- Remember how the users work with the applications
- Design a good information architecture of your application
- Utilize correct design patterns during the GUI design
- Keep the Look & Feel consistent
- Don't forget about the accessibility (colors, screen resolution etc.)
- Before starting to code: sketch, design, prototype
- Write simple and readable code, no hacking
- Test, test, test
- A don't forget: There is always a room to improve!