The Essential Guide to User Interface Design: An Introduction to GUI Design Principles and Techniques (CourseSmart)

Bringing together the results of more than 300 new design studies, an understanding of people, knowledge of hardware and software capabilities, and the author‘s practical experience gained from 45 years of work with display–based systems, this book addresses interface and screen design from the user‘s perspective. You will learn how to create an effective design methodology, design and organize screens and Web pages that encourage efficient comprehension and execution, and create screen icons and graphics that make displays easier and more comfortable to use.

New to this edition:

• Updates based on the more than 300 studies on interface design published over the past 4 years.
• A greatly expanded discussion of usability and the design lifecycle.
• A greatly expanded coverage of Web–based systems design guidelines A greatly expanded discussion of system usability testing
• Incorporation of guidelines for small devices (PDAs, cell phones, etc.)
• More than 30% revised material, with 90 new pages focused on web–based interfaces.
• Companion website providing solutions to exercises in the book.

From the back cover:

Does design matter? Ask the CEO who has seen productivity grow

When user interface design complements how people think and learn, accommodates their physical needs, and meets their expectations for comfort and convenience, the interaction of human and machine is more productive. Good design has quantifiable benefits.

This book addresses interface and screen design from the user‘s perspective. It brings together the results of more than 300 new design studies, an understanding of people, knowledge of hardware and software capabilities, and the author‘s practical experience gained from 45 years of work with display–based systems. With expanded coverage of design guidelines for Web–based systems and mobile devices, it‘s a giant step toward more satisfied users.

Whether you design GUI systems or Web pages, you can

• Understand the many considerations involved in interface and screen design

• Learn the rationale and apply the rules for an effective design methodology

• Identify the components of graphical and Web interfaces and screens — windows, menus, and controls

• Design and organize screens and Web pages that encourage efficient, accurate comprehension and execution

• Create screen icons and graphics and choose screen colors that make displays easier and more comfortable to use

• Perform the user interface design process, including interface development and testing

About the Author:

WILBERT O. GALITZ is an internationally respected consultant, author, and instructor in human factors and user interface design. He has lectured and conducted seminars on these topics worldwide and is recognized as a top authority on screen design. Bill has been involved with information systems for 45 years and writing about interface design since 1981.