To understand a user interface design, we must first understand the meaning of a user interface.
A user interface provides a way of communication between a user and a computer. A user can interact with the computer through an interface by giving inputs, which may be of any form. The computer also takes commands from the user using the interface and provides output. This shows us that there is two-way communication between the user and the computer. Some popular interfaces are graphical user interface (GUI), command-line interface (CLI), and menu-driven interface.
Interface design, as the name suggests, refers to creating the model of user interfaces for some software. A UI designer performs this task. Interface design aims to build a user-centered design that is aesthetically pleasing and easy to use. However, not all interface design is good.
Interface design is as essential in building software as technical development. Let’s understand this with an example. Consider a ground-breaking application that offers the best performance among its competitors. However, if it is not easy to use, users will soon move to the competitors for a better experience.
A good interface design does not violate the aim of providing the best experience to the user. To build a good interface, the designer must follow the interface design process, keeping in mind the end user.
Like any other process, it’s essential to follow a step-by-step procedure while designing an interface. The design process can be iterative, but it is necessary to follow these steps linearly:
An interface is a crucial component of a software system and is necessary to develop a good interface design to ensure the best experience for the users.