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#user-interface-design — Public Fediverse posts

Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #user-interface-design, aggregated by home.social.

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  1. First Apple Glass didn't learn from Windows Vista. Now Apple's Tahoe icons didn't learn from … Apple.

    The issue is bigger than a mere disregard for the principles in the 1992 guidelines. It's that training for User Interface designers is nonexistent. As the old guard retires, untrained designers reinvent square wheels.

    #UX #UserExperience #IxD #InteractionDesign #UI #UserInterface #UserInterfaceDesign #icon #icons #design #designer #training #education #retirement

    tonsky.me/blog/tahoe-icons/

  2. A very interesting take on how we came from the command line prompt to a graphical user interface. Just to go back to the command line prompt. Was it all for nothing?
    #userinterfacedesign #ux #ui

    youtube.com/watch?v=ANAyXxA5vtc

  3. To the user-interface designers and programmers out there: If the unfortunate event happens and you have to show an error message, please make sure the message is actually helpful for identifying the issue. You might think that hiding technical details is user-friendly, but in fact, the opposite is true. Do not make us guess what is wrong, tell us what you know!

    You might be afraid that this confuses users who are less tech-savvy. Not necessarily, if you give them a rough idea first (maybe in a more emphasized font) and then continue with the details you have (maybe in a smaller font). I am quite sure users are able to ignore the parts they do not understand, and if they need support, at least the person giving support has something to work with.

    Some simple examples:

    ❌ "Cannot connect to bluetooth device."
    ❓ "Okay, but why?"
    ✅ "Cannot connect to bluetooth device 'foo' (maybe it is turned off?): The device does not respond."

    ❌ "Cannot open file."
    ❓ "Which file? And again, why?"
    ✅ "Cannot open file 'testfile.txt' for reading: Permission denied"

    ❌ "Something went wrong when trying to load the website."
    ❓ "Again, what's the problem? Is the network interface down? Is the DNS server down? Is the target server itself down? Give me a hint, please!"
    ✅ "Cannot load the website. Maybe your computer is not connected to the Internet? Details: No route to host (192.168.10.1) when attempting to connect to the DNS server."

    This is nothing new. In fact, it is just an adaptation of the top-down writing approach we also use when writing scientific papers, for example: You begin with a rough overview and give increasingly more details later in the text.
    But do not omit the details completely!

    #usability #userinterfaces #userinterfacedesign #errormessages #programming #writing #technicalwriting

  4. CW: Rant on pull-to-refresh

    Pull-to-refresh is an evil design concocted by the powerful to get people addicted to just having a tiny morsel of dopamine, particularly effective if one is vulnerable to having a gambling addiction as it purposefully mirrors the action of pulling a gambling machine lever.

    #UI #UX #UIDesign #BadDesign #UserInterfaceDesign

  5. Was just making my annual donation to @relay for their #ChildhoodCancer campaign.

    It struck me that dark mode on an iPhone makes it really hard to scan the donation page.

    The main button I want to click is not very prominent and I thought that clicking on ‘$10’ would let me edit the amount but it doesn’t. That comes on the next page.

    Challenges of dark mode design.

    #UX #UserInterfaceDesign #UI

  6. The object of information architecture

    In my job at the Scottish Government, we are understanding the opportunities that can be provided by following an object-oriented approach to structuring our information.

    duncanstephen.net/the-object-o

  7. What’s Next for User Interfaces and UI Experiences?

    Think about it for a second. You’re using a UI right now. It’s how you’re reading this article. Every app, website, and even your microwave uses some form of user interface. It’s the bridge between you and the technology. But what’s next? Are we stuck with the same old screens and buttons? Not at all! The future of UI/UX is exploding with possibilities. It’s a fascinating area, wouldn’t you agree?

    Intuition is King: Making Things Just Work

    First off, designers are obsessed with making things intuitive. What does that even mean? It’s all about designing interfaces that feel natural. Think of it like this: you shouldn’t have to read a manual to use something. You should just know what to do. That’s the goal.

    How do designers achieve this? They’re working with things like:

    • Microinteractions: These are those little animations you barely notice. Think of a button that subtly changes color when you click it. It gives feedback and makes it feel real. They are tiny but so powerful.
    • Contextual design: This means the interface changes based on what you’re doing. For example, a music app might show different controls when you’re listening on headphones versus a speaker. That makes sense, right?
    • Familiar patterns: Designers often reuse common layouts. It’s like learning a new word that uses the same root. You’ve already seen similar things so it feels easier.

    Are you starting to notice these details in your everyday tech? It’s pretty cool when you do.

    Access for All: The Power of Inclusive Design

    But great design isn’t just about being intuitive. It’s also about being accessible. Everyone should be able to use technology. And what does that mean in practice?

    • Screen readers: These are vital tools for people with visual impairments. Interfaces must be designed so they work well with these assistive technologies.
    • Keyboard navigation: Not everyone uses a mouse. Designers are making sure people can use interfaces with just their keyboard.
    • Clear color contrast: Text and backgrounds need to have enough difference in color so that they’re easy to read. This is crucial for people with low vision or color blindness.
    • Subtitles and captions: Videos need text, so people with hearing impairments can understand the content.

    Accessibility isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s essential. It shows how technology can empower everyone. Can you think of a time when you appreciated something being accessible?

    Personalized Experiences: Designed Just for You

    Okay, let’s talk about personalization. Do you ever feel like an app knows you? It’s not magic. It’s personalization.

    • Adaptive interfaces: The interface changes based on your past behavior. A shopping app might recommend items you’ve previously looked at.
    • Customization options: You might be able to change the theme or the font size of an app. It makes you feel more in control.
    • Location-based services: You might get different information based on where you are. It’s all about making things useful and relevant.

    Personalization is about making technology fit your needs. It shouldn’t feel like one-size-fits-all. Do you prefer personalized experiences? Why or why not?

    Emerging Tech: The Wild Frontier of UI/UX

    Now, let’s get into the truly exciting stuff. The future of UI/UX is pushing the boundaries of technology:

    • Voice interfaces: Think Siri and Alexa. You talk to your devices. The goal is to make it more conversational and natural.
    • Gesture interfaces: Think of swiping on your phone. We’re moving beyond tapping. Soon you’ll be controlling devices with hand and body movements.
    • Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): AR overlays digital information in the real world. VR creates totally immersive experiences. These technologies will create new and exciting types of interfaces. Imagine shopping for furniture by placing a virtual couch in your living room. Or learning a new skill in a VR simulation. Mind-blowing, isn’t it?
    • Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs): This is still cutting-edge but the thought of controlling devices with your mind is wild. It could revolutionize things for people with disabilities.

    These technologies promise to change how we interact with technology. What are you most excited about? What would you like to try first?

    Why Does All This Matter?

    Why is all this important? Because UI/UX impacts everything.

    • Efficiency: Good UI/UX can make tasks faster and easier. Think about how much time you save when an app is well-designed.
    • Engagement: Good design can keep you hooked. This can be good for learning new things or just for enjoyment.
    • Accessibility: Well-designed interfaces are important for accessibility as we discussed.
    • Overall well-being: Poor UI/UX can be frustrating. Good UI/UX reduces stress. It can actually make life better.

    UI/UX is not just about how things look. It’s about how they feel. It’s about making technology work for us, not against us. It’s about enhancing the human experience through thoughtful design.

    The Future is Now

    The field of UI/UX is dynamic and fast-paced. It’s constantly evolving. Designers are constantly learning and experimenting. What’s happening right now might soon become the norm. The future of interface design is all about making technology more human, more intuitive, and more accessible for everyone. It’s an exciting journey. What do you think is next? Keep your eyes peeled. You might be surprised.

    Header image by vegefox.com (available via Adobe Stock). Feel free to take a look at our Web Design category to find other inspiring content.

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    #ui #userInterfaceDesign #ux #uxDesign #webDesign

  8. Which design of 🏷️tags do you prefer?

    ⬆️ For screenshots see previous post that this poll is a reply to. Unfortunately I can’t create a poll with images 😔

    Feel free to vote and comment your thoughts—whether you’re a Coocook user or not. Please boost for more range! 🚀

    #userinterface #webdesign #bootstrap #userinterfacedesign #tags #poll #css #FOSS #recipes #rezepte #cooking

  9. SVG Repo - Free SVG Vectors and Icons

    Search, explore and edit the best-fitting icons or vectors for your projects using;
    ➡️ ML-Powered Search: Utilize machine learning to find suitable vectors
    ➡️ Basic Editing: Make: simple changes to icons or vectors without design software

    svgrepo.com/

  10. Working on something. #ui #plugin #linuxaudio 🤓 No, not my own plugin, but a #redesign of an existing one. Can't wait to share more details. #inkscape #design #userinterfacedesign #opensource

  11. Also, I managed to rent a #Tesla for the first time this week. It's an interesting experience - it seems to have been designed by someone who has never designed a car before, and knows nothing about #UserInterfaceDesign for safety-critical environments.

    I think I now know why Tesla drivers are always cutting up cyclists. They're too busy trying to find controls on a massive touch-screen to pay attention to the road.

  12. 8 potential jobs out of nearly 1000. Clearly what I’m doing isn’t working. I think the problem is I changed my focus. After spending 23 years at ad agencies I was trying to switch back to my original passion, what got me into design in the first place: #UserInterfaceDesign and #DesignSystems. Sadly it seems most companies no longer see any delineation between #UI and #UX. It’s all one job to them: #ProductDesigner. some job listings that expected the role to write production-ready HTML/CSS.

  13. UI 👏 IS 👏 NOT 👏 UX 👏

    They are closely related and there is overlap, but they are NOT the same job. They require different skills, different training, different expertise. Unfotunately nearly every job listing I come across wants a unicorn who is an expert in both (Product Designer, UIUX Designer). As a UI designer it's incredibly frustrating.

    #ux #ui #designer #userexperiencedesign #userinterfacedesign #design