The Essential Guide to User Interface Design: An Introduction to GUI Design Principles and Techniques, 3rd Edition

STEP 13

Organize and Layout Windows and Pages

During the design process to this point, the individual elements, or building blocks, of screens will have been identified, and each element's content and wording established. A logical flow of information will also have been determined. The next step is to organize and lay out individual windows and Web pages clearly and meaningfully. Proper screen presentation and structure will encourage quick and correct information comprehension, the fastest possible execution of tasks and functions, and enhanced user acceptance. In this step, we will address

• Organizing and laying out graphical and Web screens to encourage quick and accurate information comprehension and control execution.
• Organizing meaningfully and efficienctly.
• Creating groupings.
• Providing alignment and balance.

In graphical user interfaces, components to be included on windows include a title, screen controls, headings, other screen content, and possibly instructional messages. On Web pages, components to be included consist of elements such as the page title, textual content, graphics, headings, screen controls, links, and other necessary components.

Organizing and Laying Out Screens

How a screen is organized and how its information is actually presented are crucial to achieving the design goals of fast and accurate comprehension and control execution. Following is a summary of numerous design principles that can be applied toward these ends. They have all been fully addressed ...