The Essential Guide to User Interface Design: An Introduction to GUI Design Principles and Techniques - Softcover

Galitz, Wilbert O.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0471157554 ISBN 13: 9780471157557

Publisher: Wiley, 1996

Synopsis

Software Development/User Interface Design

A concise, fully illustrated introduction to the do's and don'ts of computer interface design

Written especially for software developers, this guide will quickly teach you how to build effective user interfaces to computer systems and applications-even if you are designing interfaces for the first time. Wilbert O. Galitz, an internationally known expert on ergonomics and graphical user interface design, clearly explains the basic principles of interface design. He provides a step-by-step guide through the entire design process highlighted by dozens of examples of good and bad interface designs.

In this valuable guide, Galitz covers the principles of human interaction with screens-for example, how the eye reacts to colors, cascading windows, and overlay and text placement. You'll receive a clear description of each screen element and how it can be used to create interfaces that really work from the user's perspective.

You'll also find coverage of:
* All of the latest interface trends, including WindowsR(r) 95
* Important human characteristics to address during your design process
* How to select the proper kinds of windows
* How to develop system menus
* How to select the proper screen-based controls
* How to organize and lay out windows
* How to choose the most effective colors and create meaningful icons
* How to provide effective feedback, guidance, and language translation

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About this title

Review

An effective software interface can improve user productivity and satisfaction and reduce errors. But designing effective UIs demands unflinching attention to detail--plus the willingness to apply techniques that may at times contradict your common sense and intuition. The Essential Guide to User Interface Design offers page after page of detailed prescriptions for designing interfaces that work. Goldsmith's scope is comprehensive: He lays out a 12-step approach to UI design that covers everything from how to organize dialog boxes in ways that exploit users' natural patterns of eye movement, to choosing colors effectively, to picking precisely the right words for error messages. The guide is an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to build software that really works.

From the Publisher

Written for system designers and programmers who need to create user-friendly GUIs, this book gives a thorough introduction to graphic interface design. With concise language and detailed illustrations, the book takes readers step by step through the process of GUI design, showing the do's and don'ts with examples of good and bad interface design. Not only does it cover technical information, it also explains important principles of human interaction with screens, to insure the most user-friendly design possible.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wiley
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0471157554
• ISBN 13: 9780471157557
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 640