What is UI Design (User Interface Design?)
What is UI design? This is a question most people ask with the many designs around nowadays. UI (User interface design) is a process which designers apply to create interfaces in computerized devices or software, with more focus on style or looks. The designers pay attention to the creation of interfaces that users find pleasurable and easy to use. When you work as a UI designer, you design the feel and look of an application's user interface. If you have been wondering what is user interface design, this article looks at some of the most critical aspects of the Design that will help have a good understanding of what it entails.
What is UI Design?
User interface (UI) design is the process designers use to build interfaces in software or computerized devices, focusing on looks or style. Designers aim to create interfaces which users find easy to use and pleasurable. UI design refers to graphical user interfaces and other forms—e.g., voice-controlled interfaces. The Design has several buttons that users click, text to read, sliders, images, text entry fields and other items that users interact with. These other items include interface animations, screen layout, transitions and others. All the visual elements, animation or interaction, are designed. Designers choose button shapes and color schemes to create a great user interface design.
In relation to apps and websites, a user interface design takes into consideration the feel, look and interactivity of the product. The Design makes sure that the user interface of a product is highly intuitive. This involves taking a lot of focus in each and every visual element the user will experience. UI design is a complete digital practice, and its major goal is to help the user go through the product's interface smoothly. In essence, the design ensures that the end-users of the product do not have to think a lot when using it.
User interface (UI) design, takes the visual assets and strengths to the interface of the product. This makes the product coherent, consistent and appealing. Another critical thing to know is that the User interface design is a critical subset of UX. Both of them share similar end goals to offer a friendly experience to the end-user. However, UI design takes a separate direction towards helping the user have a positive experience. Creating a user interface design is usually a challenging and multifaceted role. There are several types of UI designs you need to know if you are considering becoming an expert in this field.
Types of UI Design
1. Command-line interface
This is the oldest type of UI design, which entails computer responding to commands that are typed by the user. One of the shortcomings of this Design is that it requires the user to remember a wide range of commands. This means that if you are a novice, it might not be the best option for you.
2. Graphic user interface
Graphic UI is also referred to as WIMP because it makes the use of menus, windows, pointers and icons. Users make use of touchpad, mouse or trackball for controlling a pointer on the screen, which interacts with several other screen elements. Graphic UI gives the users an opportunity to interact with devices through visual indicators and graphical icons like secondary notations. In modern times, almost all digital interfaces use graphic user interface.
3. Menu-driven UI
This is a UI design that is mostly used in cash machines, also referred to as the ATM's, information kiosks and ticket machines. Menu-driven UI offers an easy and simple to use interface that has several sub-menus and menus that users access by just pressing buttons, mostly on a touch screen device. If you have UML modeling skills, the Design is perfect for creating the architecture of the machine.
4. Form-based UI design
The Design makes use of text-boxes, text areas, drop-down menus, buttons, radio boxes to design an electronic form that a user should complete entering data into a system. It is mostly applied on websites to collect information from a user. The Design is also mostly used in call centers to make the users be able to enter details gathered fast over the phone.
5. Natural language UI
This is an interface design which the user interacts with their device by speaking to it. It gives the user an opportunity to converse with the computer. An example of this kind of UI interface is voice recognition.
What Does a UI Designer Do?
Designing
A UI designer has various responsibilities to play to bring out their vision to life. The major role that the designers do is to create great designs. The designer designs screens and develop visual touchpoints, and the interactivity behind these points. You should also ensure consistency that requires the creation of a visual language or style guide that is used across boards. During the designing process, the designer must create a screen which the users interact, including layout, visual patterns, hierarchies and determining space between each of the element. The designer should also consider the responsiveness of the app to make it work smoothly in various devices. Other tasks involved in the designing process include creating UI elements like sliders, buttons, scrollbars and icons, selection of right fonts, designing animations and creating the interactivity of each of the UI elements presented. The design stage also entails creating wireframes, sketching various ideas and combining mood boards.
Collaboration
UI Designer has other roles to play well to ensure that the final product offers satisfaction to end-users. Collaboration is a crucial aspect of UI design, meaning you should take time to understand the brand and its targets. Consider their expectations and the goal they want to attain by using the final Design. When working with a group, a UI designer should be able to collaborate with team members.
Prototyping and testing
A UI designer should test the designs to ensure they are working well and have a look desired. It is during the testing stage where prototyping is required. Prototypes allow the designer to present visual designs, making it easy to detect flaws and make any rough edges smooth. Testing and prototyping help a designer make sure that the final product is superb. The best tool used in the process is Wondershare Mockitt. Let's look at the tool and how it helps.
The Best Tool for UI Design
To get the best results when creating UI designs, Wondershare Mockit is the best tool to use. This is a free online tool that helps you create great prototypes and wireframes for your Design. It is a well-organized tool that can help you complete the UI designing fast. It does not matter whether you are working alone or with a team; you can be sure to have a smooth and positive experience during the entire process. With the tool, you develop prototypes that are easy to click and work with your team. It makes the collaboration easier since you do not have to send screenshots or apply other tools to add members. Wondershare Mockit has also become popular because it allows for the creation of fully customized sized UI design layouts.
Wondershare Mockit has a wide range of features that makes it easy for you to create great UI designs. It allows you to screen transitions and gestures, test the UI design, colour themes and develop as many screens as you want. In addition to this, there are several built-in templates that make the UI designing process run smoothly. If you want to test your Design, the tool helps by generating QRcode, which can be scanned using a device camera. It also helps to demonstrate your work and receive feedback from other people. Here are some of the other features that make Wondershare Mockit the perfect tool for UI design creation.
- Allow you to embed your Design on any platform you want.
- Icon library with more than a hundred icons.
- A ruler that allows you hover your mouse anywhere you want.
- Allow for fast screen switching and choose text copies by use of the share and preview mode.
- Rich text editor available
- Short guides to teach the basics of UI design
- Picture filter and material design shadow support
