MetaPro Systems Inc.

Secrets to a Good User Interface

Whether you are designing or developing a software application, or are commissioning or purchasing one, a good user interface is the secret of having the product accepted by the people who will use it.

The user interface means how the users interact with your system. This includes what screens they will see, what button they will click and what text they will view. Oftentimes the users of your application will spend their entire work day on your application. The ease of use and friendliness of your application can greatly affect the quality of their lives. Here are a few simple rules to keep in mind:

   Consistency of Style

All screens should look as similar as possible — buttons should be placed on the same part of the screen, the same fonts should be used and keys should respond in the same way.

Disallow Incorrect Values

If there are only 10 correct values, a combo box should appear where the users can pick a correct value, rather than be forced to enter the value and then receive an error message if it is incorrect. If a field must be numeric, users should not to allowed to type alpha characters. Buttons that cannot be clicked at a given time should be disabled or made invisible.

Judicious Use of Color

For a business application, colors should be used functionally not for decoration. For example, a box with gray background means read-only text, blue lettering means a required field. Keep your use of colors consistent.