The Basic Principles of Interface Design

What is User interface design? How does it actually work? Jason Donovan answers all the questions in this post. Share your comments!

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.

What makes a good interface?

Good user interface design facilitates finishing the task at hand without drawing unnecessary attention to itself. Graphic design may be utilized to support its usability. The design process must balance technical functionality and visual elements (e.g., mental model) to create a system that is not only operational but also usable and adaptable to changing user needs.

Interface design is involved in a wide range of projects from computer systems, to cars, to commercial planes; all of these projects involve much of the same basic human interactions yet also require some unique skills and knowledge. As a result, designers tend to specialize in certain types of projects and have skills centered around their expertise, whether that be software design, user research, web design, or industrial design.

There are several phases and processes in the user interface design, some of which are more demanded upon than others, depending on the project. (Note: for the remainder of this section, the word system is used to denote any project whether it is a web site, application, or device.)

Good user interface design facilitates finishing the task at hand without drawing unnecessary attention to itself…

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What is it all about?

Good user interface design facilitates finishing the task at hand without drawing unnecessary attention to itself. Graphic design may be utilized to support its usability. The design process must balance technical functionality and visual elements (e.g., mental model) to create a system that is not only operational but also usable and adaptable to changing user needs.


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.The design process must balance technical functionality and visual elements (e.g., mental model) to create a system that is not only operational but also usable and adaptable to changing user needs.

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4 Comments

  1. PandoraBox author

    The Mouse did not notice this question, but hurriedly went on, — found it advisable to go with Edgar Atheling to meet William and offer him the crown. William's conduct at first was not moderate.

  2. ElysuimFields

    The Mouse did not notice this question, but hurriedly went on, — found it advisable to go with Edgar Atheling to meet William and offer him the crown. William's conduct at first was not moderate.

  3. PandoraBox

    The Mouse did not notice this question, but hurriedly went on, — found it advisable to go with Edgar Atheling to meet William and offer him the crown. William's conduct at first was not moderate.

  4. PandoraBox

    The Mouse did not notice this question, but hurriedly went on, — found it advisable to go with Edgar Atheling to meet William and offer him the crown. William's conduct at first was not moderate.

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