A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words. Make It Worth Even More With UI Design

Graphical User Interface (GUI) is a way of creating content that is unified through images rather than written text alone. The purpose is to visually lead a user through a specific task or action. A GUI is how we, as creative people, already see our world. GUI is simply an extension of creating logos or marks to help lead a user through a certain environment.

Whether it is a common household appliance or an iPhone app, the concept is still the same—take a user from one place to another using visual navigators and cues that clearly depict what the user is to do next. As designers, we break our world down into graphics that depict a certain emotional feeling or mood through the construction of logos, marks and typography. In order for the actions to be seamless, the design must be perfectly tailored to the actions which the interface must perform.

A brand is more than a design; it's an experience.

When a brand has a strong visual identity and a solid positioning, UI design is very effective. Brand design elements influence GUI designs, strengthening the visual identity. Well-defined brands require less explanation and are more adaptable to the use of visuals to guide the user through the application.

So how does GUI design enhance the customer's experience?

We won't say that computer users are lazy; but they don't want to work hard. The more clicks it takes to get somewhere, the greater the risk of losing the sale. To avoid a lot of clicks, our designers create the most efficient use of space without overcrowding the screen.

The interface needs to be tailored to the user, not the back-end architecture. If the user gets confused at any point along a specific line of interaction, the GUI fails. If the users feel like they are on a path of clear direction without guessing or stopping to think about what is being asked of them, then the interface is working. Users should be unaware of the underlying (yet crucial) architecture necessary for the desired user interaction; but rather view the interface as a calm easy path in which to navigate through. They should feel like they've simply strolled down the sidewalk, not like they just climbed Everest without a map (or oxygen!).

STEP 1. RESEARCH

STEP 1. RESEARCH

Who are the intended users of the interface? What has their typical experience been in the past? What are their pain points with past experience? How does your sales process work and how does this application map to it? At our Internet marketing agency creating a graphical user interface is a very personal experience, requiring an intimate knowledge of the target user.

STEP 2. EXPLORE CONCEPTS

STEP 2. EXPLORE CONCEPTS

What is the overall image or idea you want your user interface design to express? In our GUI design exploration, we dive into several different conceptual directions in order to determine which is best suited for the target consumer.

STEP 3. EVALUATE CONCEPTS

STEP 3. EVALUATE CONCEPTS

Typically our concept exploration leads to a number of possible GUI design executions. Our next step here is to hold an internal review with the team at our branding agency. During this review we'll pare the possible executions down to what we internally would consider to be the front runners best suited for our client's user interface design.

STEP 4. PRESENT

STEP 4. PRESENT

This is always an exciting day at our creative agency. You can tell when it's presentation day; there's always energy within the halls of our hallowed barn. After extensive research, exploration, and evaluation, we present our favorite GUI designs to the client.

STEP 5. REVISE

STEP 5. REVISE

Based on the feedback received we'll iterate as necessary in order to make our favorites your favorites too.

STEP 6. TEST

STEP 6. TEST

Now that we have a favorite design, it's time to see if we can punch some holes! We send the UI out to multiple testers and stakeholders in order to gain valuable feedback on the user experience from a third party point of view. Formal usability testing would also take place here depending on the project requirements. The goal here is to fine tune as necessary.

STEP 7. ROLL OUT

STEP 7. ROLL OUT

Once the GUI Design has been sufficiently tested and all feedback has been implemented to the extent that we're confident the Graphical User Interface will wow your customers, we'll either implement or assist your team with the implementation of the new GUI.

STEP 8. EVALUATE EFFECTIVENESS

STEP 8. EVALUATE EFFECTIVENESS

We'll monitor the user experience of users through our tracking tools, or leverage the analytics in place in your back end systems, in order to evaluate the performance of each step of the user interface experience. Throughout our monitoring we will make recommendations as the monitoring data presents itself.

GUI Design should be a clearly marked and intuitive walkway, not a maze. To learn more about how MicroArts can build your next walkway give us a call to set-up a sit-down.