User interface design

I've been working lately on designing an application interface. If you've ever done interface design before, you know it's not as straightforward as it may sound. In general, you never get it right the first time...

One thing I've learned in my years of programming is test early and test often (not just with user interfaces, but with your classes as well). Make prototypes and get them in front of people to see how they interact. Take the best ideas from each prototype and build off of those until you get something more usable than your original concept. Through a process of iterative refinement you can make your application highly usable for a large group of people.

Here are some guidelines that I've found helpful in designing applications to get you started on the right track.

• Introduction to Apple Software Design Guidelines
• Ergonomic Guidelines for User Interface Design
• KDE User Interface Guidelines
• MSDN: User Interface Design and Development
• AskTOG
• Motif's User Interface Design Principles

At the very least, I would recommend reading Apple's guidelines. Generally, whenever Apple makes a recommendation in regards to design it's best to at least consider what they have to say. For instance, the menubar at the top of the screen is much more effective than having a menubar at the top of each application window. Be cognizant of Fitts' law.

If you get through all of the links above you notice there's a constant theme that emerges. The same items appear in multiple guideline lists - that should tell you something about application design. Experts have spent countless hours and lots of money to come to a few basic ideas that have been proven effective. By using those basic ideas in your own applications, you can provide a "more better" user experience. After all, experience matters.

If you have any other good links, please add them in the comments. Enjoy some good weekend reading material...