CO2401 Software Development Lecture 18 Notes

CO2401: Software Development
Lecture 18

User Interface Design (UID)
1. What is UID?
o Definition: User Interface Design is the process of creating
interfaces in software with a focus on looks and style. It is the
communication between users and a product to perform tasks that
achieve user goals.
o Key Qualities:

 Simple: Easy to understand and use.
 Natural: Mimics real-world interactions.
 Friendly: User-centric and intuitive.
 Goal-Oriented: Focuses on achieving the user’s objectives.
2. Challenges:
o Communication via technology can often be unnatural, using
technical language and focusing more on how the code works rather
than user experience.
UID Principles
1. UI is Communication
o Key Idea: Start with understanding what you need to communicate
to users, letting this guide the design process.
o Effective Communication: Evaluate every UI element by what it
communicates and how effectively it does that job. The UI should
engage users at a human level, not just a technical one.
2. Politeness and Respect:
o User-Centric Design: Remember that users are human, not
robots. They are emotional, in a hurry, and prone to mistakes.
Design should be intelligent and respectful, accommodating these
human traits.
UID Approaches
1. Designing with User Research Data