User Interface Design Rant
“User interface design or user interface engineering is the design of computers, appliances, machines, mobile communication devices, software applications, and websites with the focus on the user’s experience and interaction. The goal of user interface design is to make the user’s interaction as simple and efficient as possible, in terms of accomplishing user goals—what is often called user-centered design” - Wikipedia
Over the last few days, I have been trying to submerse myself in as much UI as possible. Why? Because I am on the hunt to cut down my workflow and become more efficient. Everyone does it, but I have made it my job. I have been reading about adding “droplets” to Finder . I’ve timed my actions and tried to see which methods of production work the best. I’ve deleted apps, re-installed apps, bought apps, deleted apps I bought, etc., in hopes that these applications will allow me to streamline my social networking life, my design life, and my blogging life. Ultimately, I will be able to get more done in less time.
Thoughts
In one of my tweets today, I said, “I have an easier time editing things on the iPhone than on the native app.” Now, this is not always true, but I have started to notice a trend that things (normal app functions) are easier to accomplish on an iPhone. Responses? Dave Kaneda said, “Restraint + context = win.” And according to Graham Smith, “…therein lies the real truth to simplicity in user interface design…”
If people recognize the simplicity in user interface design, why is it executed more effectively on the iPhone and not in the native application? Why do people insist on cramming 65,000 features underneath crazy animated dropping tabs, weird swirls, and whatever else they can pull out of the magic interface hat? 9 times out of 10, I find myself utilizing the simplest and cleanest apps, unless another app is offering something the pretty one doesn’t.
What should you learn learn from this experience?
Simplicity is key. Keeping things simple makes for a more satisfying user experience. The reason I can do these tasks better on an iPhone is because the screen is small, the platform is clean, and that creates a more enjoyable experience overall. These constraints force the apps’ to stick to its core features and omit extra fluff.
Your Turn
Do you find this to be true, or am I simply too close to the spray paint? Hopefully this trend will start to receive greater acknowledgment, and we will soon see simplicity in our desktop apps in addition to our mobile apps and engross us in an app where the interface fades away and let you accomplish what your set goal is.
Chad Engle is the Editor of Fuel Your Apps. He is a fulltime designer, who lives, breathes, listens , eats, tweets , connects & consumes all that is creative & app related. He is a caffeine addict and likes long walks on the beach. Follow him on twitter at@chadengle and @fuelyourapps
Grab the Feed
I very much agree, however, i think there can be variation in what and when an app needs to do or be. personally, i want bells, whistles and the kitchen sink (as long as it runs well) in my photoshop and illustrator pro apps. however, with simpler more singular apps i want them to do less, do it faster more efficiently. example, even with the update to tweetdeck, i HATE the desktop app and think the iphone app is a much better experience.
I agree about photoshop and illustrator but the cleaner the interface the better. I like bells and whistles (like you do) when they are needed. If they are a bunch of fluff, like extra features you will never use I don’t like them that’s what I was getting at. I do agree with Tweetdeck for the iPhone being better than the desktop app. The desktop app hoggs memory and is a visual overload, thats why I switched back to tweetie.
Couldn’t agree more.. I have actually been noticing that lately as well with my iPhone… I actually rarely go to facebook.com anymore because the iPhone app has simplified the things I do on facebook.
This isn’t true for all users i’m sure as everyone uses different platforms for different reasons… but I definitely agree that the simple, precise approach is best.
~ Aaron I
I do the same thing. I use the Facebook iPhone app because it is more simple. Another app that has blown my mind is Newsstand for RSS on the iPhone. It syncs and has a ton of features and is just stupid, simple easy to use. I can delete feeds right in the feed list which I can’t even do in native google reader. (mainly where this rant came from)
People do use platforms for different things and I am not saying everything has to have just one button but I am challenging the fact that we need EVERY feature in EVERY app.
I agree with you Chad, but we have gone thru this simplicity process before in other media.(art, architecture, design, photography, art…) and every time, after a while, a certain amount of diference and complexity is required again. Boredom is the number one enemy of everything, including interfaces.
Thousands of websites, blogs etc look the same, say the same, use the same distribution… and they work effectively as an interface…After awhile, you can´t tell the difference between one and another. They do not work as a personality builder.
So, I think simple is cool, but I think it’s even better to disguise simple in a complex outfit.
Thanks for the post! Really cool!
16012
Thanks,
I agree that we have seen simplicity in every other facet of art and architecture. The point I was trying to drive home is that simple is easier for the end user and therefore the have a a better experience.
Example:
You go to the mall and park in parking lot F. The only entrance to the mall is on the opposite side of the mall. Now, you have to walk all the way around the outside of the mall just to get inside. You forgot your phone in the car and realize you have to walk all the way back. Are you going to go the mall again? Probably not. You might go back if that’s the only mall that you have in your area.
Point being is that if an app is so complex that I have to go three menu’s away just to make a simple edit or delete function I will become frustrated with this app. The apps on the iPhone usually make edit & delete in the same menu or one tap away.
You make very valid points and the iPhone has a smaller learning curve. In more pro apps with all the extra features you have key commands that are extremely time saving. The computers key commands are much like gestures on the iPhone. I think it really boilds down to maximizing the users input in the most efficient manner.
Ron,
“maximizing the users input in the most efficient manner” I really like that. I agree the learning curve is smaller and the fact that its got a set SDK full of buttons helps keep them “smart” and easy to use. I agree though once you hit the big boys like Adobe (I never used the menus) that things get a bit more complex. Good points.
The iPhone is an efficient device for more basic tasks. If am writing a blog entry or leaving some wall posts on Facebook, I’d prefer to do it on my laptop because I can do it much quicker. Typing short messages is fine on the iPhone, but definitely not longer than a couple paragraphs.
That said, the iPhone does allow me to concentrate more on the task at hand. I’m not distracted by emails popping up, twitter messages appearing, or getting lost on Digg.com. I can get things done quicker when I’m single tasking.
Kevin,
Single tasking is a great way to put it. It does allow you to do things more effectively at one time. I was not suggesting that the iPhone replaces a computer because I am still on my Macbook Pro 95% of the day. I was suggesting that the interface is more simplified and intuitive. I do think that your “single task non-distration” ideas hit the nail on the head. It would/will be interesting if they add background apps and how that changes the workflow on the iPhone.
I agree Chad. Background apps on the iPhone would be interesting. The only one I see myself using is Pandora. Being able to close that app and still be listening to streaming music would be awesome!
I also think there is a HUGE market available to software makers who make “single taskers.” With an increasing amount of emphasis on productivity, I would be surprised not to see more apps like Writeroom where it is impossible to get distracted by email, Twitter, or Facebook.
Writeroom homepage: http://www.hogbaysoftware.com/products/writeroom
I most definitely agree that there is a lot to be said for the productivity of simplicity and the importance of user intuition when designing interfaces.
A friend of mine and I were talking about the single-task format of the iPhone, and the new competition found in the Palm Pre, which can essentially switch through “cards,” or apps. With the iPhone, we have to imagine that Apple realized that this simplicity and dedication to the currently open app was intentional. It is for the very reasons that Chad has mentioned that Apple employed this idea into the iPhone.
Now, also, we can safely assume that Apple is promoting using iTunes by disallowing apps such as Pandora or Last.fm to run in the background. The native iPod application CAN run in the background; this is just incentive to use iTunes for your music management, etc. Apple also is answering somewhat to Pandora by including the fairly new genius playlists (these are now available on the iPhone).