Designing a software application requires a combination of technical, visual and usability considerations. The User Interface (UI) of the software is the interface between human and machine and needs to be designed to be both visually stimulating and oriented around an efficient business process to make the user’s experience as simple as possible. The design process must balance technical functionality and visual elements to create a system that is not only operational but also usable and adaptable to changing user needs.
Many software application User Interfaces are designed by technical developers who’s intimate knowledge of the underlying code can cloud their ability to design a screen from the user’s perspective.
User interface design is achieved by:
- Process – A documented understanding of the business process the software is supporting if required. This is achieved by using the industry standard Business Process Modelling Notation (BPMN).
- User Experience (UX) – Identifying how the software will be used and by whom by the creation of User Stories mapping their roles and journeys through the software.
- User Interfaces (UI) – Producing wireframe diagrams of user interfaces covering the user stories using a mixture of visual design tools (e.g. Photoshop) and technical wireframe diagrams (using tools such as Balsamiq).
UI design is a role that is performed by a combination of Graphic Designer and Technical Architect. Dunstan Thomas has a team of Graphic Designers that are assigned to projects during the early design phases of the project and will work with Customers to achieve a stylish and aesthetically appealing but functional solution.