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Created August 6, 2009 10:26
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ryan-singer-interfaces.textile

Ryan Singer on Interfaces and Web Application Usability

talk at viddler

1. Screens

  • Decide what matters.
  • Make that pop out.
  • Make everything else fade back.

A clear and well structured layout is also beautiful.

2. Flow

  • The goal is to make the interface so frictionless that the application knows 80% of the time what to do next and to take the user there.

3. Language

  • Interface design is copywriting.
  • Speak the same language as your customers.
  • Messages should be addressed to real humans as conversation (not just “An error occurred”).
  • Long labels are OK (more descriptive button label than just “submit”).

Summary

  • Be opinionated about every screen and every process and decide what is the most important.
  • Emphasize the important elements and de-emphasize the unimportant ones.
  • Walk through every process to smooth out bumps and potholes.
  • Prioritize what’s important.
  • Emphasize and de-emphasize.
  • Smooth out the flow.
  • Clarify your language.
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