Video: https://fosdem.org/2020/schedule/event/ui_ux_trips_and_tricks_for_developers/ UI/UX is a craft. The more you practice it, the better you are at it. Some people argue that you need to have 'good taste' in order to be a designer, to be the 'artsy type'. While this might be true for Graphic Design, Branding and Visual Arts in general, when it comes to Interface, Interaction and Product Design, the focus is more on practicality and 'common sense'. I will present some general UI/UX tips & tricks that will help you design better. Everyone should know the basic principles and patterns of design, and once you understand them you will naturally integrate them in your work.

1. UI/UX
Tips & Tricks for
developers
@evalica
#FOSDEM2020
#OPENSOURCEDESIGN

2. UI Principles & Patterns
2 / 30
Patterns are describing recurring solutions
that solve common design problems
Principles are fundamental rules about the
practice of design

3. Consistency
3 / 30
p1#
Similar objects should have similar
meanings and functions
Allow users to recognize usage patterns,
decreasing the learning curve

4. Buttons: Primary / Secondary Actions
4 / 30
Secondary
action
Primary
action
Equal visual weight
No hierarchy
Have only one
primary action
per screen
1#

5. Buttons: Verbs as Actions
5 / 30
Avoid generic ‘OK’ or ‘Yes’
Avoid confusing phrases
(like double negatives)
Use explicit verbs
Make it the obvious choice
Can take the action without reading
2#

6. Buttons Placement: Modal Layout
6 / 30
Left aligned Right aligned
Vertical scanning Faster Z-shaped flow
3#

7. Buttons Placement: Full Page Layout
7 / 30
Left aligned Right aligned
3#

8. Buttons Placement: Primary Action
8 / 30
Adapt buttons position
Primary action on outer edge
Natural placement
Tertiary
Secondary
Primary
4#

9. Color as meaning
9 / 30
5#
Use color to differentiate
button types
Limit color
selection
Cancel

10. Color: Destructive Actions
10 / 30
Red is a strong visual cue
that captures attention
Do not use regular
colors, like Blue
Always ask for
Confirmation
for destructive
actions
5#
Explain the
consequences

11. Affordance
11 / 30
p2#
Cues which give a hint on how users
may interact with an object

12. Affordance: Links
12 / 30
Differentiate links from
content
Non-linked
content
Hyperlinked content
Hard to recognize
p2#

13. Buttons vs. Links
13 / 30
Use for Navigation
Doesn’t affect the interface
Use for Actions
Affects the interface
6#

14. Objects that are close together are
perceived to be related
Proximity (Gestalt)
14 / 30
p3#

15. Proximity: Menus
15 / 30
p3#
Use spacing to
group similar
items

16. Objects sharing attributes are perceived
to be related
Similarity (Gestalt)
16 / 30
p4#
Color, size, shape or orientation can be
used for contrast

17. Law of Unity (Gestalt)
17 / 30
p5#
Objects connected by lines or boxes are
perceived to be related
Overrides cues from proximity or
similarity

18. Law of Unity: Grouping
18 / 30
p5#
Using lines and backgrounds to
group related elements

19. Choice Paralysis (Hick’s Law)
19 / 30
p6#
The time to make a decision increases with
the number and complexity of choices
Recommended

20. 7±2 Rule (Miller’s Law)
20 / 30
p7#
Human brain is limited to retain 7±2 items
in the short-term memory at one time
Limit menu
entries
The new estimate is 4±1 chunks

21. Serial Position Effect
21 / 30
p8#
We remember best the
first and last items in a serie

22. Chunking
22 / 30
p9#
Group items to make them easier
to process and remember

23. Form Fields
23 / 30
Size fields
accordingly
Use Placeholders
Use Masks and
Limiters
Focus state for
selected field
Highlight and
explain error
White background triggers the
tendency to fill empty spaces
Place label on top
7#

24. Text Align: Numbers
24 / 30
Hard to compare values Right-align numbers
8#

25. Text Align: Tables
25 / 30
Hard to scan Choose the right alignment
8#

26. Icon Metaphor
26 / 30
9#
Iconography is not universal

27. Icon + Text
27 / 30
10#

28. Learn more principles
and apply them in an
Open Source project of
your choice
Want more?

29. Thank you
@evalica
Questions?
#FOSDEM2020