Graphical User Interface design (GUI-design for short) refers to the visual aspect of designing computers, appliances, machines, mobile communication devices, software applications, and websites with the focus on the user's experience and interaction. Generally refers to digital rather than physical ...
192
votes
16answers
9k views
What explains the current shift from glossy UIs to matte UIs?
I've noticed an interesting phenomenon in the user interfaces of many famous applications, they're moving away from the glossy complex to a more dull and bare minimum design.
Why the sudden change? ...
138
votes
13answers
11k views
Are carousels effective?
Go to just about any eCommerce site and the homepage is nearly guaranteed to feature a carousel - an auto-rotating panel, usually with some sort of small navigation, usually highlighting new product ...
78
votes
8answers
6k views
Why might right aligned field labels be better?
For the longest time, I've used left-aligned labels in my forms, like this:
I did this because I thought having the labels left aligned made it easier for readers to scan the list of labels.
...
46
votes
13answers
2k views
Best UI to allow expert users to enter an ip address? (IPv4)
I am working on a web application which requires users to enter an IPv4 address (in dotted-quad decimal notation) for most of the primary tasks they need to perform. Our primary target "user" is a ...
37
votes
7answers
983 views
How should you show that an accordion is expanded?
When you have an accordion, you need some way of showing the current state is expanded.
There are a number of different ways of handling this, and each is used by a number of respected websites and ...
36
votes
7answers
2k views
Could scaring users be good UX?
I work on an application that's designed to be usable by new users, but has a lot of complicated configuration for advanced users. Our approach to keeping users away from delicate settings is to make ...
35
votes
6answers
2k views
How can I highlight errors when bright red is the main color of the brand?
I'm working on a mobile website for a client whose main brand color is red. The website header and headings are all red. CTA buttons are red too. How can I effectively separate errors (mostly in form ...
34
votes
6answers
2k views
Which do users like more as of now, 'Flat Design' or 'Skeuomorphic'?
I have read multiple articles on-line that say that the era of Skeuomorphic design on the web is over, and that a new era of so-called 'flat design' is now the new thing for developers, but do users ...
33
votes
9answers
3k views
What are the drawbacks of designing a Windows application to look like a Mac application?
I'm working with a company whose product is a Microsoft Windows application.
As the UI/UX designer (and as a Mac user) I want to redesign the application so it is more visually appealing.
Are there ...
30
votes
6answers
3k views
Why do websites not use entire width of browser?
What reasons might a website not use the entire width of the browser, like Gmail does?
For example, StackOverflow does not use the entire width — it has left and right margins. This means the ...
29
votes
11answers
2k views
Is there a better character than the asterisk to indicate a modified document?
In Windows applications it seems to be a common way to indicate modified, unsaved documents with an asterisk * character.
E.g. this is how Visual Studio .NET 2012 indicates a modified document:
...
29
votes
4answers
2k views
Where should the GUI light source come from?
I know that historically the light source on GUIs is in the upper left, casting a shadow on the bottom-right of buttons and the upper left of fields. Now, I see some places (like Apple) use a top ...
28
votes
6answers
2k views
Why is tree representation of data becoming unpopular?
I'm asking not about professional software like IDE's, but about OS GUI and web interfaces.
A few years ago there was File manager in Windows, Gopher and other interfaces and data models like this.
...
27
votes
6answers
2k views
With infinite scrolling, do scrollbars still make sense?
I noticed this today on Google Plus:
Virtual Scrollbar in a Google+ Gallery
This is a virtual scrollbar, as opposed to native scrollbars everyone on Windows or pre-Lion OS X does know.
Now this ...
25
votes
9answers
5k views
Good reasons to use bad UI
I know you just read the title, take a deep breath. I'll explain.
When should we make a conscious decision to retain poor UI, even if temporarily? Not because of budget or time constraints but ...
25
votes
3answers
578 views
What to do when a page's content doesn't fill up enough of a fixed area?
An application has a fixed size, i.e 800x600 px. However, a problem I often run in to is that the page's content isn't enough. It's simply too little content on a big area.
Consider the mockup below, ...
20
votes
5answers
16k views
Best Practices for UI design on Android (Usability/UX) [closed]
I'm switching for web development to Android development. I know some things about web usability and I see that UX is too often left behind on Android from my I experience with it.
As the interaction ...
20
votes
6answers
2k views
Are custom scroll bars easier to use or do they just look “nice”?
I've noticed that a lot of webapps have started using custom scroll bars. A few examples include Facebook, Trello, Google Docs, and Twitter. I'm sure you can think of some more:
How do these types ...
20
votes
3answers
547 views
Is it a bad idea to have two progress bars in one dialog?
Discussing with my team-mates this morning but we're not sure which one is the best way.
Scenario: When users select a single document to process, they will see a progress bar and text displaying its ...
20
votes
5answers
6k views
What is this side menu called that can be found in many multi-touch apps, and where does it originate from?
It can be found for example in the YouTube and Facebook app.
19
votes
10answers
2k views
What's the least confusing UI for offering to either enter a URL or upload a file?
I have a simple form where a user may contribute a link or upload a document adding a title and optionally some notes.
What's the best UI for allowing for either a URL or a file (but not both)?
19
votes
4answers
945 views
Why aren't Gmail-like “on-page” dialogs more popular UI solutions?
A few months ago, Gmail gave us the choice to switch to a new UI, with many new features (...) including an "on-page-docked" window. I personally find this piece of UI very useful as it allows users ...
18
votes
2answers
779 views
Is there a visual glossary of (Windows) UI controls?
Some days it seems every member of my team calls each control by a different name. Is there a good resource, preferably with images, for what the official name of each control type is? I found a few ...
16
votes
11answers
1k views
What's a good scroll bar equivalent for a spiral script?
One of my friends is writing a fictional story about a people who use a script that is read in a spiral from the inside out. They write on long coils of flexible material, and longer texts are fed ...
16
votes
8answers
900 views
Where can I find problems to challenge my UI design skills?
I'm still in the beginnings of my career as a programmer, and have always thought I was more interested in low-level back-end type stuff. However, having done a few projects lately on my own, I've ...
16
votes
4answers
1k views
Good alternatives for replacing multiple nested modal dialogs?
Having a mature and good-selling Windows desktop application, we are focusing on improving the user experience for the next release.
One thing that I try is to get rid of multiple nested modal dialog ...
16
votes
6answers
662 views
Solving the “accidental confirm” problem with dialog boxes
The scenario is all too common: An application brings up a dialog box while you are typing, and you hit the space key before you even realize what's happening. The dialog is gone and you have no clue ...
15
votes
6answers
841 views
Is flashing red text a good idea for denoting an active alarm?
I'm working on a windows application that is showing the realtime status of a particular piece of equipment. While operating the equipment (via the application), two important values & labels are ...
15
votes
6answers
290 views
Is there a term/name for these labels?
Are there any conventional names for these informational labels?
15
votes
9answers
738 views
How does user interface design fit in a development process?
In a software development process where does the user interface design fit?
If we take an agile approach for a small team (2 juniors, 2 seniors, a Team Leader and a web designer) what normally should ...
15
votes
6answers
769 views
The use of tabs
I am working on redoing a clients application, which needs to be done for other reason, but one of the changes is to remove tabs.
The application is, in essence, fronting data records, very basic. ...
15
votes
2answers
476 views
Most intuitive multi-select component for the web
My target audience are users that are not familiar so much with computers so i try to simplify the UI elements in use as much as possible.
For instance I try to avoid drop down menus and use big ...
14
votes
4answers
853 views
Can a visual progress bar be used as a navigational element?
We're having a bit of a debate here among teammates as to what would be a better UX solution, so I was hoping you guys could help me settle this.
We have a linear flow through a data-collection ...
14
votes
7answers
400 views
Nagging the user with double message box for something that is important.
When our software is installed, it installs some networking components. It may run fine immediately after the install, but chances are that some applications won't be able to talk to the network until ...
14
votes
4answers
334 views
What are the pros and cons of skeuomorphic design in payment transactions?
The check out or payment process in an application is critical and has to perform smoothly to make the inexperienced users feel that they fill in forms correct. I’ve seen numerous of examples where ...
13
votes
6answers
1k views
Blinking, bouncing and flashing elements
I'm responsible for the UI/UX in a software development company.
During my absence, some developers decided to implement a "bounce" effect on a button of a website that they think should have more ...
13
votes
5answers
556 views
How can I allow users to easily pair items from long lists?
I'm trying to create a friendly ui that will allow users with little or no computer experience to make pairs from two huge lists (around 2000 items each).
Above each lists there will be a search field ...
13
votes
4answers
563 views
Intuitive vs. Efficient: Which is more important?
When faced with a design decision in which one option is more intuitive, and the other is more efficient, what guideline should be used to prioritize one desideratum over the other?
13
votes
2answers
213 views
Are downvotes/dislikes useful if not highlighted?
I was watching a video on youtube and noticed their like/dislike bar. They have had this new design for quite some time now. In the earlier youtube, the dislike bar would be red and distinctly ...
12
votes
4answers
620 views
In GUI/UI design, why is the clock on the right?
I've been trying to design a new User Interface for the Desktop, while at it a friend has told me about his thoughts on UI design and we had a discussion about the placement of the "clock".
In ...
12
votes
10answers
4k views
What is the difference between Wireframing and prototyping
What is the difference between Wireframing and prototyping? Prototype should be interactive and Wire-frame Static? Am i right?
12
votes
4answers
352 views
What is the best way to ask for a specific amount?
Consider the following simple scenario: User has 2,352 cookies in his account. Now, he is prompted with a message, "How many cookies would you like to eat?" Given he can enter any number from 1 to ...
12
votes
1answer
780 views
How do I improve my visual design skills?
I am a novice UX designer and I am fairly comfortable with information architecture, interaction design, and creating mockups (low, med., and high). But when it comes to creating the actual UI, I have ...
12
votes
8answers
3k views
UX design case studies [closed]
I am looking for well-written and in-depth case study articles of real life UX designs. I'd like to read how other designers tackle design challenges, and how their designs solve those challenges. ...
12
votes
6answers
422 views
Minimalism, Maximalism(?) or whatever?
Tufte & Nielsen believe that screen real estate is one of the most important asset for a (UX) designer. Utilize available screen space - Jakob Nielsen’s Alertbox: May 9, 2011 & The Visual ...
12
votes
3answers
340 views
A better way to display a forum thread
I want to figure out a better ways to make a forum thread easy to read.
Common solutions to this:
A flat thread where every post is sorted by time.
This is easy to understand and easy to display ...
11
votes
9answers
1k views
Scrollbar on the left
Is there a deep study that suggests to place a scrollbar on the right? Personally I move it to the left whenever it's possible (firefox allow this, as well as xterm and emacs).
I know that placing a ...
11
votes
8answers
894 views
Any actual reason for complicated UIs? [closed]
We all know there are very good interfaces out there, some of which we use everyday:
And now and then some make our ...
11
votes
7answers
487 views
How to make it obvious the contents of one table are based on the selected row of another?
Given a dialog with two grid-style tables, what's the best approach to visually showing that the selected row of the left table is what populates the right table? The best I can think of is an arrow ...
11
votes
6answers
386 views
Do users know the difference between a web application and a desktop application?
As cloud applications become more prevalent and the line between what is a desktop app and what is a web app becomes very blurry, different patterns for design, security, privacy and user experience ...
