What makes effective UI design?

Effective user interface design is about creating an enabling environment for a user. Allowing them to achieve their goals as quickly and easily as possible.

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UI design is a crucial part of how a product or service feels, how it's used, and how effective it is. But how do we ensure a UI design is the best it can be?

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Here are the golden rules for what a user interface should be:

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Simple and goal-orientated

Unnecessary complexity in a user interface adds friction, which then turns to frustration for a user. Effective UI design works to keep steps and actions to a minimum. The aim is to remove any confusion, obstacles, or sticking points along the user’s journey, and move them towards their goal.

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If a user interface is standing out, then there’s a good chance that it’s standing out for the wrong reasons. It should seamlessly blend into the whole experience, and let a user achieve what they need to with the least amount of fuss possible.

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A good example of this is the UI we designed for Pharmaseal, who were looking for a digital solution that would simplify the user experience within a clinical trial platform.

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Consistent and expected

An effective user interface doesn’t have to reinvent, or attempt to improve the wheel. Systems and services that we use today may be new or relatively young, but they are mature in terms of interface components they use, and the user expectations that exist around them.

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Knowing when, how, and where to use these conventions to their full potential is key to ensuring a user interface feels familiar and expected, even if the utility is for something totally new.

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A great example of this was the UI design work we did for Talk It Out, which gave an intuitive and modern feel to a new digital service that helps people to manage their mental health and productivity.

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Context aware

A good user interface works whenever, wherever. Users want to be able to do everything on mobile, and on the go. Therefore it’s important to keep in mind that the utility of an interface can vary depending on a user’s location, device, time, and goal.

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The size, shape, and utility of the UI elements on one device may need different measures on another. However, wherever possible, creating a user interface that is usable in the widest range of situations is ideal for ensuring effectiveness.

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Go hand in hand with UX

All structures need solid foundations and an effective user interface is no different. An amazing UI is nothing without a solid and functional user experience underpinning it.

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UX and UI are both layers that enable the other to work effectively. An effective user experience that maps out a way to achieve a goal or solve a problem, is then enhanced by the correct and considered use of user interface elements.

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Our work with Zimmer Biomet on their digital health app is a great example of UX and UI working together seamlessly. For users on the go, looking to engage with their personal health data, in a visual and intuitive way.

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Be accessible

Not everyone has the same sight, motor skills, cognition, or understanding. An effective UI is rooted in ensuring it’s 100% usable for 100% of its users.

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Accessibility considerations can be about ensuring that thecolours used don’t limit the use of a UI for those with colour blindness. Or ensuring UI elements are clear and understandable when text is smaller or larger (on different devices and different settings). It can also mean ensuring the UI is navigable with a control device other than a mouse or finger.

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To get to know your audience and their needs in this respect it can be hugely beneficial to carry out primary research, to explore accessibility requirements fully. At nuom we offer this within our discovery services.

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We can help

At nuom we believe an effective user interface is an enabling user interface. There are many more points we could cover here (the nuances and scenarios are endless), however these are the golden rules to think about first when considering a UI.

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If you would like to know more, or are looking for support with your UI design, or support across discovery, design, or delivery, then get in touch at hello@nuom.co.uk  

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