Have you ever talked back to your computer? I know you have. . . Using colorful language right?

At CleverTech we design friendly user interfaces that evoke an exclamation “that was easy!”  One of our favorite examples is the menu program we developed for RAM, an elite Manhattan caterer. The menu screen is designed for people whose skills are in business, cooking, and celebration, not AJAX and CSS. We do that part.

With good design on our part, building a complex menu uses drag and drop features, quick search capabilities, and keystroke shortcuts. Instead of wrestling with their computers, they can think about Yellow Tomato and White Bean Bruschetta on Garlic Cilantro Rounds or Roulade of Black Olive Stuffed Chicken Breast or Griddle Pancakes With Assorted Toppings Of Sliced Bananas, Sliced Strawberries, Walnuts, Pecans, Chocolate Chips, Godiva Chocolate Sauce, Hot Maple Syrup, and Whipped Cream…

Sorry. I got distracted there. The point is, people needing a new program for business shouldn’t be having to adapt to the needs of the computer. Instead, the program should anticipate the way the people like to work, and work with them.

How can you recognize a good user interface when you see one? A lack of swearing among users is a good sign, but there are more objective ones:

• A good user interface is consistent. If clicking on a square button performs a certain action the first time, then clicking on other square buttons should perform similar actions in other contexts.
• A good user interface is forgiving. Does double-clicking instead of single-clicking make all your work disappear? That’s not a good user interface. You should be able to make mistakes now and then without serious consequences.
• A good user interface isn’t surprising. We get points for creativity under the hood, but not for putting buttons in novel places or making the method for saving data really new and edgy.
• A good user interface gives you feedback. You should be able to tell when you’ve updated information, sent reports, or made calculations.
• A good user interface is simple, even if the application isn’t. Einstein said, “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” Einstein knew what he was talking about.

With these qualities in mind, evaluate the interfaces you’re using now.  Maybe you need something new. We can help.

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