TomG_GerardB

=The Importance of UI Designs= In our time, the importance of UI designs is such that a small added feature could represent a noteworthy advantage over the competition. The interface of a website, software program can go on to decide on the survival of the venture by the way the user reacts to it.

With the benefits of competition for software, companies have to make sure that their designs not only cater to their target market’s needs but more importantly that it helps them explore the interface’s feature freely and that they can do complete the intended. The user is King and the businesses simply serve. If a customer is dissatisfied he/she can freely look for another company that will earn his/her business. A great question to ask is whether the interface helps the user achieve its intended goal in his or her envisioned optimum way. By this we mean can the interface achieve something quickly if the user wants its done quickly; can the user be given many suggestions if he or she desires. In summary, the interface must not only take into consideration the expectations of its target market but be built around them.

A great interface also can create attachment from its users. It does that by being able to recognize or include in its processes, its target market’s preferences and tastes. Pandora –as we will see later in this essay - is an internet radio that allows its users to build customized stations based on their preferences. On top of building those radio stations, you can learn about the artists, buy the songs that are being played, get info on their album and hear music that have similar built, themes or style. This ability to provide extra services can create attachment to the program similarly to Netbeans IDE. Netbeans can help the developer save time and energy by suggesting code, giving reasons and solutions that most often solves problems. It goes as far as building entire classes –when allowed to -based on what the developer is currently working on. With such features, a program such as Netbeans IDE becomes a staple in the programmer’s life.

For example, Vera Wang’s website will definitely be cleaner and simpler in design than Juicy Couture because they focus on two different target markets. While Vera Wang’s wedding dresses might require a more formal and simple interface which recognizes the importance of the project at hand while Juicy Couture creates for the young, edgy, fashion and effect oriented crowd require more colors, details, flash in order that interest be kept. The question of focus and navigation is really important in interface because it can be a direct representation of the industry where the business performs. If we take for example the DigiKey website, it seems fairly simple and straightforward. Its designs reflect the straightforward attitude of its customers who are most likely are involved in the computer, engineering or electronic industry. On the other hand, the Armani Xchange website, with its colors, pictures, mirrors an industry known for its mercurial spirit. Also while you navigate this website you are constantly hinted items that could go with your selection, what items are popular. All this is done in order to entice the user to buy more items.

As we see it, an interface can help a business in attracting and retaining its users. By satisfying its users, a business makes sure that word of mouth works in its favor. It also reflects the nature and the needs of its customers while it can also entice them to buy more. In a world where competitive advantage sets companies apart from each other, it is essential to make sure your target market is satisfied by focusing on their needs and preferences.

User oriented design is design which takes into consideration the users abilities, preferences, limitations and goals. A good design benefits the user in that: it is intuitive and therefore easier to use, it is easier to learn, requires less help in using, it meets the users goals and needs. A good design benefits the organization as well in that since it is easier for the user to learn and use, it saves the organization money. Less time is required to support the application, and finally, the users of the system can be more productive; again saving the organization money.
 * I. Overview -**

Use of colors, controls, icons, dialogs, placements and consistent internally and in regard to other applications and real-world concepts. Contains elements that are common to other programs The metaphors behind commands, icons are logical and intuitive- Contains an homogeneous theme or recurring aspects throughout the program that help establish connections The same commands operate in the same manner The interface is up to date with present innovative ideas while maintaining a level of simplicity and comprehension for its users
 * II. 7 Principles to good User Interface Design**
 * 1. Consistency:**

The interface uses simple, clear language The interface is free or possess a minimum of extraneous elements to the current task, The interface is intuitive in expected functionality The interface takes in consideration the user's assumptions of the program and its features. The user does not need much guidance in order to use the program successfully.
 * 2. User Oriented Simplicity and Intuitiveness:**

The overall application design presents windows, dialogs and tools which allow the user as simple and direct a path through the problem space From the beginning to the end of working through the problem space, options to do what one needs is easily accessible. The program does not force the user through unnecessary or exceptional steps or configuration set up.
 * 3. Goal Oriented Efficacy:**

Prevents the possibility of user error wherever possible. Confirms irreversible actions and potential losses of data. Allows undo/redo, Allows recovery of lost/deleted material Provides the user with easy to comprehend error messages, Help and recovery instruction or suggestions.
 * 4. Error Management:**

Provides multiple and easily accessible navigation options when and where it is most likely to be needed. Provides accelerators, mnemonics and is configurable to the users' working style, abilities and limitations.
 * 5. Flexibility in Use:**

Provides a FAQ pages Provides tool tips, contextual help and application documentation which describes the application, interface and how to accomplish tasks and configure it.
 * 6. Effective Help and Documentation:**


 * RATING APPLICATIONS**


 * || B e s t || Average || P o o r ||
 * **Consistency** || 15-20 || 8 - 14 || 0 - 8 ||
 * **User Oriented Simplicity and Intuitiveness** || 13-17 || 7 - 12 || 0 -6 ||
 * **Goal Oriented Efficacy** || 12-15 || 6- 11 || 0 - 5 ||
 * **Error Management** || 9-12 || 5- 8 || 0 - 4 ||
 * **Flexibility in Use** || 8-10 || 4- 7 || 0 - 3 ||
 * **Effective Help and Documentation** || 6-8 || 3 - 5 || 0 - 2 ||

Panic.com; The Panic Goods website provides a simple, clean interface for shopping. One unique aspect of the interface is it's use of a drag and drop shopping cart. It's very intuitive and easy to use. Just select a size and quantity and drag it into the shopping cart. Within the cart, icons show what you selected, size and quantity. There are only 3 buttons at the top which are the most important to the user: Shop, Join (mailing list) and Service. Beneath that is a link for information about the product construction and quality and a link to see the site in Japanese. The use of color and icons is great. This sites' UI focuses exclusively on it's task. It allows people to shop intuitively and very easily with no direction needed. Unfortunately, its functionality is not consistent. If you drag the Panic 1982 Poster into the shopping cart, it displays a total of NaN (not a number). The totals and the checkout page work fine unless that poster is included... this is more of a bug than a UI flaw though. With a bug fix, I would give this sites' UI 80 out of 82 points. The only point I mark off against it are because one of the icons has no real world or external consistency.
 * III. New Developments in UI Design **

Rating: 80



Amazon.com [|�3�]Amazon Loose Diamonds The Amazon loose diamond search page is unique in it's use of sliders to set the range for a search. Considering only this feature (and not the entire Amazon site). The UI provides a simple explanation of it's use, it is consistent and intuitive, uses real world consistency to help a user visualize the qualities searched for. Each Quality has a "Learn" link beneath it with good information and appearance.. When you use the search, the results are shows instantaneously to the right with a link to go to those results which are provided in a clean table with links to other information and offers sort options. One issue that I have with the UI is that it's layout on the page has somewhat to be desired. The search feature could be centered in the content area to provide better visual separation from the left navigation panel. The Caption is cluttered and inaccurate (I tried...you cannot create your own ring or find a link to it from this page).

Rating: 63



**IV. Critique of NetBeans UI Design **

The NetBeans UI is generally consistent, but is lacking some consistency in that pop-up menus offer different language at different times for the same operation; Many icons have neither external nor real world consistency; Some metaphors do not make sense as metaphors.
 * Consistency:** 15 points out of 20 possible

The NetBeans UI uses language that can be easily understood by someone with knowledge of the problem domain and is therefore fairly intuitive. The UI does not use colors which are distracting. The UI operates as expected except in some drag and drop operations and is particularly poor when it comes to WYSIWIG operations in Design mode. The UI is free of extraneous elements and in most cases the user doesn't need a lot of guidance, however in some cases, a lot is needed even in a few cases of simple tasks. Provides plenty of tool tips with useful descriptions.
 * User Oriented Simplicity and Intuitiveness:** 12 points out of 17 possible

On the whole, it is easy to accomplish pretty much any task in the problem space (creating programs). Configuration options are plentiful and practical. The UI does a good job of having the right focus and does not force the user through unneccisary hoops. The same cannot be said about the design of Java packages..., but that's not the fault of the UI :)
 * Goal Oriented Efficacy:** 14 points out of 15 possible

UI doesn't provide much at all in the way of error messages when compiling or running programs, usually only the call stack and the exception. Not very meaningful or useful for beginners. The UI does allow multiple undo/redo and, so far as I could tell, confirms actions which are irreversible. It does not prevent the user from doing things which cause errors, however I find this acceptable because this only applys to the program being developed and not the UI.
 * Error Management:** 10 points out of 12 possible

The NetBeans UI provides many options for configuring the working environment to user preferences, has a plug-in architecture, and the UI itself is configurable in that context windows can be arranged in whatever way the user prefers. Configuring keyboard shortcuts is very flexible and easy.
 * Flexibility in Use:** 10 points out of 10 possible

NetBeans help file is comprehensive and provides step by step instructions on all aspects of the UI. Language and package help is also available.
 * Effective Help and Documentation:** 8 points out of 8 possible


 * NetBeans Overall Rating : "B" (**69 out of 82 possible)

Works Cited Connell, Bettye Rose, Mike Jones, Ron Mace, Jim Mueller, Abir Mullick, Elaine Ostroff, Jon Sanford, Ed Steinfeld, Molly Story, and Gregg Vanderheiden. "The Center for Universal Design - Universal Design Principles." //Www.ncsu.edu//. North Carolina State University, 1997. Web. 16 Nov. 2010. . Nielsen, Jacob. "10 Heuristics for User Interface Design." //Useit.com: Jakob Nielsen on Usability and Web Design//. 2005. Web. 9 Nov. 2010. . "Three Keys to Good User Interface (UI) Design | Macadamian Best Practices." //User Experience Design UI Design, Software Development for Android, IPhone, IPad, Web 2.0, RIA, Windows 7 and Mac OS X from Macadamian in Ottawa and San Jose//. 2009. Web. 5 Nov. 2010. . "User Interface Design Tips, Techniques, and Principles." //Ambysoft Home Page//. Web. 16 Nov. 2010. . "Information Technology Evolution: the Internet Radio." //HubPages//. 2008. Web. 16 Nov. 2010. .
 * V. References:**