Navigating on the next iPhone

Some folks have been poking around in the HomePod Firmware update. Doing so they’ve unearthed the existence of an upcoming face unlock feature using and infrared camera and face detection, the new iPhone’s bezel-less form factor, and its resolution of 1125 x 2436 (375 x 812 points rendered @3x). Me too. New bezel-less form factor …

Form Design for Complex Applications

From complex ERP systems to Facebook, applications make meaning out of input. The form — in its many manifestations — provides a gateway for user submission. This article illustrates 13 different ways to present forms, and explores the future of data input. Good overview and good naming conventions used: Modal, Multi-modal, Slideout, Popover, Inline, … Form Design for Complex …

How to design clarity in 3 steps

This article is a quick summary of a basic design course. It addresses a simple question: How do you design interactive systems that are easy to understand? Well, it all comes down to two things: structure and process. Next to the content itself, I especially love the (animated) visuals created for this article. Now I …

Using science to make truly tappable user interfaces

Since the average human finger pad is 10 to 14mm — and the average fingertip is 8mm to 10mm we can pretty easily define a range for what constitutes a “truly tappable UI:” A truly tappable UI is built with elements that are at minimum around 10mm, with the optimum touch element size around 13mm. …

How to Use Animation to Improve UX

Animation may be used in a wide range of scales and contexts to unite beauty and function: it can influence behavior, communicate status, guide the users attention and help the user see the results of their actions. Here are just a few examples to illustrate places where you can add some animations in your UI …

Functional Animations: What Makes a Good Transition?

Functional animation is subtle animation that has a clear, logical purpose. It reduces cognitive load, prevents change blindness and establish a better recall in spatial relationships. But there is one more thing. Animation brings user interface to life. […] Successful motion design possesses six characteristics. Having built quite a few animations into some (web) interfaces …

Death to Complexity: Advanced Search at Spokeo

Considering the nature of people search, filtering by parameters other than first and last name is crucial. ‘John Smith’ doesn’t really help you find who you’re looking for, but a 36 year old John Smith in Pasadena, CA, related to a Susan is damn specific, and will inform you quickly if we have the data …

Design Better Forms

Life is short. No one wants to fill out a form. Be conversational. Be funny. Gradually engage. Do the unexpected. It is the role of the designer to express their company’s brand to elicit an emotional reaction. If done correctly, it will increase completion rates. Just make sure you don’t violate the rules listed here. …