Morphed into virtually every electronic product on the planet, user interfaces (UI) are influencing electronic design. Since consumers often judge products by their user friendliness, the UI is often considered to be as important as the product itself.
For developers, coming up with a cool electronic product is no longer enough. You also need a slick UI too. To complicate matters even further, other technologies may be embedded to push the envelope even further to increase its user friendliness. But developing a great UI isn’t always about graphics and buttons. Take the smart phone, for instance. It’s cool that turning the device horizontally also re-orients the screen accordingly. This was made possible when engineers had the foresight to embed a gyroscope into the electronic design of the product.
User interfaces are not only becoming larger pieces of the software in the design of an electronic product or device, they are also acting as the brains of the operation. The best user interfaces make seemingly complicated electronic designs easy for anyone to use without having to read an instruction booklet. They facilitate the desired tasks with a tap or two without drawing unnecessary attention unto itself. In other words, users shouldn’t be able to tell which came first – the product or the interface.
While designing a user interface, topography and graphic design are always utilised to improve its usability. These topography and graphic designs influence how the product performs certain roles. They also determine the aesthetic appeal of the design of these electronics. Aesthetic appeal in electronic design is highly important. It may enhance or detract from the user’s ability to use the functions of the interface. Because user interfaces must balance technical functionality with visual elements, it has to be not only operational but also adaptable to the changing needs of the user.
UI design can be seen in a wide variety of applications from computer systems to automobiles and commercial planes. A good user interface not only meets the user’s expectations but also improves the electronic product experience. As such, the UI has grown in importance and has had a major influence on electronic design.
