UI is Communication: How to Design Intuitive, User Centered Interfaces by Focusing on Effective Communication

Introduction:


  • "Good UI is designed to communicate to people, not robots, so it is human communication." Pg. 8

    Chapter 1:


  • "If users need to translate your UI into something meaningful, you should use that translated, meaningful version instead." Pg. 20
  • "Well-designed UIs ask the right question once, at the right time and place, and provide enough information for users to answer intelligently and confidently." Pg. 59

    Chapter 2:


  • "Use standard interactions for your software's platform. Don't be creative here because interaction is required for intuitive UI." Pg. 73
  • "Commands are verbs, and verbs are hard to show with symbols, which are nouns." Pg. 89 (I really liked this relatable explanation to writing).
  • "If a UI feels like a natural, friendly conversation, it is probably a good design." Pg. 94

    Chapter 3:


  • "Visual appearance is essential to our perception of quality." Pg. 136
  • "Understanding how users typically scan [the screen] helps in understanding how to communicate with them" Pg.151

    Chapter 4:


  • "Great UI design transcends mechanical usability by recognizing that there is an emotional, impatient, error-prone human at the other end of the interaction, so well-designed interfaces strive to make a personal connection." Pg. 201
  • "All software has a personality - whether intentional or not - so it is better to have a personality that is carefully designed than one that is accidental." Pg. 206
  • "For every UI design that requires users to constantly correct small mistakes, there exists an alternative design that prevents the mistake, makes it easy to recover from the mistake, or does the right thing anyway." Pg. 216

    Chapter 5:


  • "A user interface is essentially a conversational interface between users and a product to perform tasks that achieve users' goals...If we focus the UI design process on effective communication, we can leverage our understanding of the target users, their goals, and the way the UI needs to communicate to users on a human level." Pg. 247
  • "Great design requires clear target users." Pg. 259
  • "Working with many ideas early in the design phase helps you understand the possibilities before making a commitment with confidence." Pg. 273

    Chapter 6:


  • "A communication-driven approach works well for most situations, and it allows us to you to leverage everyday communication interpersonal communication skills." Pg. 335
  • "There is value in good planning." Pg. 336