Exploration into the procedures of UI design

 

The first step is to identify the target users.

During the process of software design, the software will automatically determine the target user of the software and in the end get to know the demand of the end users and the direct users. Different user will have different interactive design priorities.

The second is to collect the habitual interactive ways of the target users.

Different types of target users have different interactive habits. Investigations should be done to know the best interactive results desired by the users.

The third step is to give the clients hints and directions.

The software is finally to be used by the clients, so it is important to give them instructions on how to operate and control the software.

The principle of consistency

The goal of design should be consistent.

The software is composed of many elements. Different part should have the same interactive design goal.

The elements’ appearance should be consistent.

The appearance tends to affect the interactive results. One set of software having consistent style in their appearance will greatly improve the interactive results. But it is a pity that there are no standards as to determine the unity of elements’ appearance.

The interactive actions should be consistent.

In the interactive model, different types of users need to have unified interactive actions.

The principle of usability

Being understandable

The software should be comprehensible to the clients in order to be used by them. If it proves incomprehensible to the clients, a non-destructive access should be provided to the user so that he can understand the corresponding functions by operating on such elements.
Being attainable

The interactive elements should be able to be controlled by the users- the center of the interactive action, through the use of the interactive equipments such as the keyboard, and the mouse.

Being controllable

The user can control the interactive flows of the software.

The user can control the executive flows of the software.

If controls can by no means be provided, give the users hints that are understandable to them.

The above is only my personal understanding of UI design.

 

(UI design, interactive design, software)