Article Style 5: Video List

A small-image-focused article style

User interface design includes different design stages and processes. Depending on the project, these stages or processes vary in importance. Note that the “system” here refers to all projects, including web, app, or device design.

Functional requirements gathering: List the functions based on the project goals the system must achieve and the users’ potential needs.

User analysis: Analyze the users by discussing with the system’s potential users or the people who work with it.

Typical questions include:

• What do users want the system to do?
• How does the system fit into the users’ workflow or daily activities?
• How tech-savvy are the users? Which similar systems have they used?
• What interface look and aesthetic appeal suit the users’ taste?

Information architecture: Build the system’s program or information flow (for example, for a phone tree system it is an option tree diagram; for a website it is a site navigation diagram showing page hierarchy).

Prototyping: Create the system’s blueprint (wireframes) through paper prototypes or simple interactive screens. These prototypes carry no visual/aesthetic elements or specific content and focus only on the interaction itself.

Usability testing: Test the prototype with a real user. This process usually uses the think-aloud method, having the users speak out their thoughts during the experience.

Graphical interface design: The design process for the final graphical user interface (GUI) look. If system usability is hard to predict, you can base it on results created during usability testing, or on communication goals and the style users prefer.

In a few cases, the graphics may instead determine the prototype, depending on whether visual form or function matters more in the specific situation. If certain interfaces need multiple skins, the same control panel, feature, or widget may require multiple interface designs.

This stage usually requires graphic designers and interface designers to collaborate closely, or an expert skilled in both.

In short, user interface design requires designers to know user needs inside out.