Some user interfaces are better than others. Many are a pleasure to navigate with easy to read text, intuitively organized information, and predictable response to user input. But there are terrible UIs, too... We've all used software, websites, and other human interfaces that are a real pain. Sometimes they have controls that don't do what you expect, or don't work at all. Others are so cluttered that it's difficult to tell how to use it.
Here are two examples of good user interface design.
1) Nintendo Switch Home Screen
- Its primary function, to provide access to games, is very large in the center of the interface.
- The design is very simple, leaving the focus on the controls and game art without making it feel cluttered.
- Use of imagery instead of text helps keep the interface clean and intuitive.
- Plenty of information at your fingertips including device status, controller settings, and time.
2) SMSL AD18 Audio Interface
- Basic audio info is displayed with the source front and center, so you know what its settings are at a glance.
- The controls are very simple, with all navigation is done using the click wheel. Rotate to adjust volume, or click then rotate to adjust settings.
- You can customize the color of the text to whatever you want.
Here are two examples of problematic user interface design.
1) Acuity Scheduling
- When trying to switch calendars, you are presented with this ridiculously long list of 168 lines.
- You can't scroll just the list to see the rest of it, you have to scroll down the entire webpage to see past the first page.
- The checkboxes are very small and it easy to overlook boxes you meant to check or uncheck when scrolling through the list.
2) Truman Behavioral Health's Interactive Voice Response
- When calling in, it is fairly easy to follow the prompts as long as you speak English. To switch to Spanish, you have to navigate past the initial greeting and then listen for the prompt to switch languages - in English!
- The voice recordings that help get you to a nurse give the impression that you will have the option to speak with someone, but it never rings a phone - you get dropped into a general voicemail box.