In the modern world, all objects of development, even the most complex and incomprehensible, should be ordered and presented in a beautiful way. Especially for this, in the development of all programs there is a stage of interface design . This is done so that each person is presented with a specific program in an accessible and beautiful way. It is on the topic of interface design that this article will be. Let's try to understand the essence of this issue.
What is interface design
So what is design? This is a specific process by which the "skeleton" of a program, code, and other things is built and organized. Without interface design, no software can exist normally. For each site, software, system, etc. interfaces should be developed.
Some people think that they will sit down, they will come up with everything themselves - and that's it. In fact, everything is not so simple. No wonder designing is a separate industry, along with engineering professions. A person with higher education in this field should be engaged in designing. And only if you entrust your code to such a person, then your software will be at its best and users will accept it.
Who needs design
Some people think that you only need to design the main page (if this is a site) or some parts of the program, and the rest will do. This is a mistaken judgment. You need to design the whole project as a whole, because you need to get a system in which everything is very logically connected. For what purposes is it necessary to create such a logical chain? It could be:
- Large project. If you are planning to make a large site, you will need to design a user interface. For example, an online store, an online bank, or even a social network can serve as such a project.
- Commercial site or software. As the name implies, for such a project, user interaction with this object is simply necessary. But in order for them to want to go to it and use it for its intended purpose, a beautiful interface and thoughtful architecture of the site or software are required. If the proposed project is not convenient for the visitor, he will not use it, which means that the owner will be the owner of the project that no one needs.
- Second wind. The modern pace of life is very high, and therefore, trends in fashion are changing at the same rate. There are new "chips", innovations, and in general, the understanding of beauty is also changing. That is why all major projects often change their interface for user convenience. At least once a year, you need to update the appearance of your site or software.
Basically design interfaces for:
- sites;
- mobile apps;
- desktops;
- various software.
Methodology and Examples
So, the method step by step:
- Receiving data from the customer. At the very beginning, the analyst must collect all the data from the user. Of course, he should know all the basics of interface design. The designer must learn from the customer the goals, the scope of the project, the limitations on the technical part. Of all these requirements, a portrait of the user is compiled. For example, a business website is being developed. Description of a person: business woman, higher education, leadership position, little free time, sees her development in the profession, buys clothes only when necessary in foreign or expensive stores. This is just a brief example. But this is how the designer begins to understand the scope of the project.
- System requirements. Based on the image of the person, the analyst builds a navigation diagram. He must break down each task in steps, and then clearly and voluminously describe each action and mission. Such a stage is needed in order to shift all the requirements into an algorithmic language and not to miss a single detail. If you skip this step, then at the last stage of the design it turns out that the connection between the requirements and the interface is very small.
- Block design of the future project. Based on the diagram, the designer draws the interface of the future site. This is the stage at which you can see how the site will look, where what will be located, which blocks and navigation objects will be present. Everything is done schematically, but it is extremely clear. After that, the designer sends the scheme to the customer in order to coordinate the project and obtain consent for the final drawing of the project.
- Directly designing. This is the very stage where the specialist draws in detail every detail of his project. Most often, the designer makes the interface interactive so that you can test it for usability. At the end of this step, the customer will be provided with a picture on which the site will be displayed.
Design time
The timing of the design depends on the size of the project. An average project can take from 10 to 30 days.
Of course, much depends on the professionalism of the designer. One will do it in 15 days, the other - in a month. This also needs to be taken into account.
Cost
The cost of work depends on the time, amount of information, and the qualification of the specialist. The better and more experienced it is, the more expensive it is. The most expensive is the main screen; for it may require from 50,000 rubles. Each subsequent screen will be half cheaper. In addition, each icon and inscription is evaluated separately. For example, color icons will cost from 4000 rubles, and black and white - 3000. The cost may increase from compatibility with the operating system. For WINDOWS - cheaper; for iOS and Android - more expensive. This price is set due to the fact that mobile applications require a more detailed drawing.
Alan Cooper about the interface
Cooper came up with the idea of the basics of interface design in 1995. At first, his idea was considered revolutionary, but now people have such an excellent methodology. He expressed his thoughts in the book "On the Interface. The Basics of Interaction Design." This book cannot be called finished. However, it contains all the principles of work in the design discipline. This literature can be called special, because there is practically no “water” in it, and the best templates and basics of interface design are collected. The book has been edited and supplemented with innovations such as designing web products, mobile applications and more.
Results. What to do at the exit?
Suppose a specialist has prepared all the work provided for him. What to do next?
- First, you need to find a programmer, moreover, while the analyst is working.
- At the fourth stage of design, you should connect a designer who will work together with the designer and programmer. It is from the picture that he will transfer all ideas to a real platform.
- Test the interface.
All items are suitable for designing the program interface.