When we consider software, it can be divided into two parts. The front part is visible to the users, while the back or controlling part defines all the functionalities and controls the signal flow, requests, etc. Today, it has become crucial for businesses to devote their time further to the front part of the software, which is visible to the customers. If that part is not performing as per the expectations or having discrepancies, you won’t be able to score much in the competition.
Many people aren’t aware of what the user interface is or the role it plays. Keeping this in mind, we have explained everything one needs to know about the user interface or UI.
What Is the User Interface (UI)?
A user interface can be the front-end part of a website application that is visible to the users. It consists of a page, tables, pictures, videos, texts, buttons, etc. Everything you can see on the software or access the device is considered part of the user interface.
Why Is the User Interface (UI) Important?
There are several reasons why investing in the user interface has become so important. Below are some of the benefits you can enjoy with the best UI.
- You can quickly drive more audiences to the online platform representing your business with the best user interface.
- The user interface defines the essential performance and productivity of your online business.
- If the user interface is not impressive, it can lead to a sharp decline in the sales and revenues of your business.
- One of the main reasons the user interface is essential is that it is the medium of interaction between the user and the backend of the software.
- If you do not optimize the UI, the bounce rate will increase, and the conversion ratio will fall drastically.
Elements of A Good UI
It is not easy to define a good UI unless and until it has the following elements:
- Usefulness: The UI should be useful for the users, and they must be able to work with the software just the way they expected.
- Usability: The usability must be normal and accessible so that no one has to study or gain special knowledge for using the concerned software’s interface.
- Value: It should have some value and must represent the business in every aspect.
- Desirability: If the user interface is not visually appealing, there is no way it can spark the users’ desire.
- Credibility: An exemplary user interface is trustworthy and reliable. It won’t crash too often or change without any previous update.
- Accessibility: The user interface should be accessible from multiple devices and operating systems without the involvement of any significant change in the UI components or the design.
- Discoverability: All the user interface components should be easier to find or navigate.
Types of Graphical User Interface with Examples
The graphical user interface or GUI is the highest and most complex type where the UI components can be easily accessed through clicks and taps of the mouse. It contains an array of elements, from buttons and dropdowns to images and other forms of multimedia.
1. Touchscreen Graphical User Interface
The touchscreen GUI is specific to those devices whose screen technology is responsive to touches. It can be on a laptop, mobile, PC, tablet, or TV.
2. Menu-Driven User Interface
The menu-driven user interface is where you will get several options in the form of buttons, drop downs, tables, tags, and so on. ATM, mobile contact details, and others are prime examples of menu-driven user interfaces.
3. Command Line Interface
From the name itself, you can understand that, in this case, the command line was used to write the codes for the UI. Although it is no longer used in the majority, there are certain cases where CMD UI is still popular due to its easier structure and minimal memory usage.
4. Conversational UI
Conversational UIs accept human instructions like motion or hand movements and voice as input and evaluate the same based on the backend AI, ML, and NLP logic. Accordingly, the actions take place. For example, the chatbot works on the conversational user interface.
5. Touchscreen Or Mobile Graphical User Interface
As the name suggests, this interface is designed for mobile phones with a touchscreen. Here, the user can access the UI components from their phones with a simple touch of the screen.
For example, scrolling the screen up and down or clicking the search button on Google’s page are examples of mobile-based touchscreen GUI.
What’s the Difference Between UI and UX Design?
| User interface | User Experience |
|---|---|
| It is defined as the platform for interaction of the users with the backend of the software. It can also be defined as the driving force of UX. | UX or user experience is the term used to define the experience users have after using the software. |
| UI must be developed through coding, involving multimedia pictures and videos, clickable buttons, drops drown, and so on. | User experience is calculated based on the feedback left by the users and several other patterns and trends derived from the UI datasets. |
| If the user interface is not up to the mark, you won’t be able to meet the expectations of the users. | If the user experience is not desired, you will have problems with the conversion ratio, number of leads generated, and overall revenue. |
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What Are the Principles of Good UI Design?
Certain principles must be followed to develop the best user interface design. In this following section, we will help you with the same.
1. Place Users in Control of The Interface
You must put your users first and then your ideas. If the user interface is not in per with the user expectations, there is no way it will perform in the desirable method. No user will visit the website or application, let alone spend more than 3 minutes.
2. Make It Comfortable to Interact with A Product.
The user interface should be designed interactively. If the user cannot use the UI elements or converse with the interface, there is no point in spending so much on developing the best user interface.
3. Reduce Cognitive Load
The primary purpose of the user interface is to ease the software’s functionality and ensure it does not put too much pressure on the users. But if the user has to use his cognitive intelligence to figure out how to use the UI, it will automatically reduce the weightage of the UI.
4. Make Use of Interfaces Consistent.
It would help if you kept the user interface consistent. There shouldn’t be any sudden pop-ups or an utterly distinctive color all of a sudden as the user scrolls down the page.
5. Keep the Interface Simple.
It would help if you kept the user interface as simple as possible. For example, the clickable buttons should be large enough to be viewed and taken upon action. Similarly, the navigation between different UI components should be easier so the user won’t have to spend more time figuring out how to go from one page to the other.
6. Create Consistency and Use Common UI Elements
You should use the standard UI elements often seen in most software platforms, a website or an application.
7. Be Purposeful in Page Layout
The page layout shouldn’t be abrupt or out of line. Instead, it needs to have a purposeful design, and the elements should be placed accordingly. For example, if you include dropdowns, ensure it is placed where the user can see all the options without scrolling down the page.
8. Strategically Use Color and Texture.
You need to smartly use the colors and textures in the user interface design. These will have a significant impact on the users psychologically. Therefore, you shouldn’t choose any random color combination that can make the UI look like a sore thumb.
9. Use Typography to Create Hierarchy and Clarity.
You can easily use typographic elements to clarify the user interface design more and create a hierarchy in the elements.
10. Think About the Defaults
Always consider the default options while designing the user interface. For example, if the UI is customizable, you should add default options so that the users can restore the original format if there is any sudden glitch in the software.
11. Light Comes From The Sky.
Do not add too much bright colors to the user interface because when the user operates the software under the sun, the reflected light may make everything look blurred.
12. Black and White First
If you do not want to include any bright color, go for the two most popular and contrasting chromes, i.e., black and white. This way, you won’t have to worry about the users not paying attention to the concerned software.
13. Double Your Whitespace
The more whitespace, the better the user interface’s visual appeal. Crowding the space with unnecessary UI elements will reduce the overall beauty and won’t make the desired impact on the users.
14. Learn the Methods of Overlaying Text on Images
You can also add text to the images but in an overlaying manner. This will help you create visual contrast, define the UI element, and save a lot of space.
15. Make Text Pop and Un-Pop
Text pop and un-pop mean sudden window or dialog boxes popping up to let the user know some additional information about any UI element you have included.
16. Only Use Good Fonts
You should always use the best fonts for the user interface design. If the font is not well or easily readable, there is no way you can entice your users.
17. Steal Like an Artist
Be an artist and show your creative skills through the user interface. It needs to be unique and visually appealing. You can refer to other websites to understand how the UI has been designed and take ideas from there.
How Can We Help You?
Emizentech will help you with the best user interface design for your software, website, or application. Our professionals are experts in developing the most innovative and next-gen interface plans to drive more traffic to your website and increase the leads generated.
Conclusion
In this post, we have shared the details about the user interfaces and the best ways to make them appealing, efficient, and functional. You must consider the elements you want to include in UI, ensuring they are purposeful and relevant to your business.
We are a leading web and mobile application development company providing services globally. If you ever need help in designing UI for website or app development then get in touch with us.
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