Designing user interfaces
Published November 30, 2009 | 
Considering the fact that we live in what is often described as the cyber age, it is only natural that we will have to come across various manifestations of the web technology in the different spheres of our daily lives. The very concept of the user interface is one such visible symptom of the aforementioned phenomenon. User interface design or user interface engineering as it is also referred to as, can be defined as the process of designing the computers, various appliances, machines, especially the mobile communication devices and accessories, software applications, along with websites where the primary focus is on the experience and interaction of the individual user.
The prime objective of a user interface design can be realized as an effort not only to simplify the user’s interaction procedure but also as competent as possible, that is mainly in terms of achieving the goals of the user which is often described as a user-centered design. One of the most accepted and common feature of an ideal or high quality user interface design should be the fact that it will facilitate, with no needless attention seeking to itself, the finishing of the assignment just around the corner. In fact, graphic design can even be used to validate a particular theme or a particular style to an interface while at the same time the usability factor will remain as it is without getting even slightly compromised.
One of the very basic objects of the entire process of the design is to ensure the equilibrium between the technical purpose as well as the visual elements that is the mental model, so as to build a particular system which will not only just be equipped but also utilizable and adjustable to the changing requirements and needs of the user. There are simply a huge and equally diversified range of projects from computer accessories, systems or peripherals, to automobiles, to even commercial airplanes that either involve or directly apply the fundamentals of the concept of Interface design. Although most of these assignments engage a good deal of the very basic human communication, there are certain cases which also demand a certain extent of exclusive skills and awareness. Thus in consequence, the designers mostly have a propensity to concentrate in certain kinds of assignments and encompass skills which are revolving around their technical know how, which can either be designing software, user research, web designing or even industrial design. However, it must be noted that there are several distinct and diverse steps, phases and processes that in its entirety constitute the user interface design. Among all these above mentioned phases, some of them are more stipulated than the rest, dependant up on the particular assignment.
Designing a web site
Published November 20, 2009 | As the very name suggests, the primary importance of web designing lies in the area of creating and designing web sites. On the surface, one may say that web designing is not just comparable but also quite similar to the conventional notion of publishing print materials, of course on a gross level. To be precise, one can argue that each and every website, just as in the case of a book is nothing but an information exhibit container while the set of web pages can be compared to the idea of the pages found in a book.
On the other hand, web design as a technique makes use of a structure which is based on the concept of digital code as well as display technology to build and preserve an environment so as to facilitate the distribution of information in diverse and multiple formats. If considered on the level of its entire extent or prospective, the notion of web design can be described undoubtedly as among the most refined as well as progressively more complex technique to sustain the process of communication in the contemporary world. Web design includes various sub aspects under it which have all equally important roles to play in the process of building and maintaining a web site.
On being categorized broadly, the essential designing aspects would be:-
- The content – Dealing in web sites is equivalent to dealing in a business where information is capital, product and profit al rolled in to one. Thus it almost goes without saying that content displayed on the site must be of highest quality in terms of it accuracy, precision as well as relevance. The matter, and data displayed has to be pertinent to the idea of the site and must be able to aim the area of the mass which the site is generally concerned with.
- The usability – The uniqueness of the web as a medium lies in the fact that one is able to carry out absolute one to one communication on this platform without any third party mediation. Hence, it has become almost a thumb rule for the site in order to be successful that it should be user-friendly in all possible sense of the term, complete with a perfect interface as well as navigation facilities which are both easy and dependable.
- The appearance – It is a market driven and consumerist world that we all live in right now. Every thing in this world today is parallel to show business. Thus, needless to say that the appearance carries added importance. To begin with, both the graphics and the text ought to comprise of a solo style that will consistently flow right through, to prove uniformity. The fashion ought to be at the same time professional, attractive and pertinent.
- The visibility – This is more of a commercial aspect than aesthetic or creative. In order to make its presence felt in the market, it has to be trouble-free to locate through all the major search engines and also advertisement media on the net and elsewhere.
Ten more ways to promote your website
Published November 10, 2009 | There are many ways in which you can promote your website. A few top methods are the following:
- Get your website registered with a directory based engine like www.dmoz.org. There are many such other websites also. These list the names of websites that are registered with them. Also the sites are categorized as per their content and theme. Thus it is much easier for visitors to search for sites on a relevant topic. This is definitely a great method to publicize your web design and will get you a number of regular visitors. Also look for specialist directories in your field. These tend to drive the most targeted traffic.
- Get your website to feature on Google, etc. these are the biggies in the world of search engines. Most people resort to these particular sites when they need to search for some important information. Thus they are great way to give your websites that much needed boost.
- Give a little information about your website to each and every mail recipient of yours. This should not be very elaborate as a stranger will not be much interested in knowing the grittiest of your web design. This should be very brief and impact like the name of your site, its URL, its theme and your position in context of the website. This definitely creates an impact and at least 5 out of 10 people will definitely visit the URL when they receive your email.
- Join forums related to the content on your website. This also gives your website an added advantage. Post replies on sites like mouthshutreviews, yahoo answers, etc. these forums are also a great way to catch attention.
- Find sites which have similar content as your website. Make sure they are not your competitors. Get these sites to promote your website link. This will also give you an edge over others.
- Visit www.awardsites.com. Get to know about all the existing awards for web designs. Try and make an excellent web design so that you win some accolade. This will automatically bring in lots of publicity.
- Register with bulletin boards on the internet. These are similar to forums and newsgroups. They will give a lot of information about your website and also inform the visitors about its daily updates.
- You may also publicize your website in your blog. This is a very personalized way of getting the message across. Your employees can also do the same.
- Television is a very powerful media. Try and advertise your website in ads. Make them catchy so that people visit your website out of curiosity. Do not leave any gaps in promotion. Do each and everything possible. Only online promotion will not do the entire job.
- Lastly, word of mouth is an age old strategy that has always worked. If you have good networking skills and can afford to do a word of mouth campaign then nothing like it. It is a fabulous promotion technique.