Interface Design

If done well, the interface design layer won’t get noticed. The interface, in it’s simplest form, is the structure of a Web site with pages, content and interactions.

Interface design process

First of all, I do not go near a computer. It is far quicker and simpler to make all the early mistakes on paper than to progress design iterations in a software package. The freedom to make mistakes, explore ideas and find out what will or won’t work early on through sketches and paper prototyping improves the whole design process. Not getting bogged down in the niceties of a polished finish helps focus the mind on building a powerful interface design. Where should this feature be placed? What interaction will take place when I activate that? These are the types of questions that should be asked, rather than what will that button look like in blue rather than red?

The interface within the design

Once I know how an interface will function and where the key elements are placed, it is then that the computer can be fired up and the Web design commence. Throughout the Web design phase I am also highly tuned into the look and feel of the interface design. I make sure that buttons look like they should be pressed and draggable items can be dragged. Taking real world functionality and the tactile nature of the world around us as inspiration, I improve the usability of an interface.

Reviewing and logging interfaces

I get inspiration from everywhere, when you are an interface designer you start seeing interfaces all around you. When you use your microwave oven or calculator you are faced with interfaces. I take pictures of interfaces and screen grabs of Web sites, both good and bad as a reference, for inspiration and for avoiding mistakes. I make this public for anyone who is interested. My scrap book of interfaces is hosted at Evernote.