In this introductory lesson, visual examples will show what design is in general and what key concepts it includes. You will master the basic terms that everyone has heard of, but which no one fully understands.
Design is the result of designing an object with the aim of solving the set tasks, particularly artistic (aesthetic).
In a broad sense, design focuses not only on artistic construction but also on solving a number of other problems: technical, social, consumer, etc.
Design should solve the problem as effectively as possible.
Depending on the context and the task at hand, design solves problems in different ways. Let's take a look at Coca–Cola's advertising materials from 1949:
From the perspective of graphic design this poster should attract attention, identify the brand, prompt action — all of this is the task of design in this context. Composition, color theory, and typography help us with this — tools and principles of design. A key role here is also played by copywriting or how the text is written, but that is already an adjacent discipline.
Now let's focus on the red vending machine with drinks (which is allegorically depicted steaming in the sky).
Look at the size of the doors, the placement of the handle and coin acceptor. Pay attention to the hinges and cooling grid. Every detail is crafted and has a reason for which it is made this way.
This is the result of industrial design – a separate complex discipline that takes into account entirely different aspects: functional requirements for the product, technical constraints, the structure, and arrangement of parts. To create such a design, engineering assistance or consultations with relevant specialists will already be required.
From the above, it should be clear that design can be different, but each of its directions has boundaries and areas of application. We are going to study a very specific type of design — UX/UI дизайн for екранних графічних інтерфейсів.
Interface — is a set of interaction tools between two systems. In English, interface means «place of collision». In the case of design, one of the systems is always a person.
Let's analyze the UI (User Interface) user interface of the microwave.
The front panel includes several elements that we can customize according to our needs:
- Door with window and opening handle — provides access to the food container and serves as an indicator. When heating is in progress, we see the light;
- Power knob — determines the strength of the heating;
- Timer knob — sets how long to heat. Additionally, as soon as we set the time, the cooking process begins immediately. That is, this knob also acts as a switch.
All of the above are user interface elements.
Based on our retro microwave, we will consider what UI and UX design are.
UI–design (User Interface Design) or user interface design – defines how the user interface looks, namely:
- Materials and Colors — metal and glass, cream and bronze colors;
- Style of Mechanical Elements — retro;
- Style of Icons and Texts — flat, sans-serif font.
UX Design (User Experience) or interaction experience – defines how the user interacts with the interface, namely:
- Which interface elements to choose — instead of mechanical knobs, the UX designer could have placed a display with touch controls and status indicators. He could also have installed an additional switch to turn the oven on/off or a button to open the door;
- Size and placement of interface elements — on which side to place the knob, what size window to install in the door, how large the dials should be.
In the responsibilities of a UX–designer, the search for product usage scenarios based on user roles is also included. For example, in our case, several scenarios can be identified:
- The student heats up frozen pizza before breakfast — it seems that heating will happen often, maybe it's worth considering a single button that automatically sets the power to 240 watts and a timer for 3 minutes?
- Mom bakes fish in foil — this can take a whole hour, it's worth thinking about a loud signal at the end of cooking, at that moment mom may be in another room.
The interface of a microwave oven can be described as physical and even mechanical. But UX/UI designers work with graphical user interfaces. That is, all interface elements are located on the screen of a monitor or mobile device (smartphone, tablet).
It is very important to understand that the monitor screen of a desktop computer and the screen of a smartphone have significant differences. Specifically, how we interact with them:
- On desktop computers, a keyboard and mouse are used;
- On smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, only fingers are used instead of a mouse and keyboard. This imposes certain limitations. For example, a button on a mobile device cannot be made too small, as it would be impossible to tap with a finger.
So, UX/UI designers create graphical screen interfaces, specifically design for:
- Websites — that we will study intensively;
- Mobile applications — we will only touch on superficially;
- Desktop applications.
Design for websites and mobile applications – this is what UX/UI designers work on 99% of the time. In this course, we will focus on design for sites, which is called web design.
For a better understanding, here are a few types of unusual interfaces. We will not work with them, but they exist:
- Command Line Interface — one of the first computer interfaces still used by professionals today. It requires a high level of technical training but provides flexible and efficient control of the computer in return. It exclusively uses the keyboard for operation;
- Gesture Interface — control through hand gestures and a touchscreen. Touchless recognition is also possible. For example, the multimedia system in the latest models of BMW cars allows control of music volume with an intuitive finger-twirling gesture;
- Voice Interface — one of the most understandable ways to interact with computer systems using human language. It is especially relevant when the device lacks a keyboard or when its use distracts from the primary task (e.g., a driver on the road).
New interfaces continue to be developed today. Elon Musk's company Neuralink is working on creating a neural interface that will enable direct interaction between the human brain and a computer. Just imagine how much the quality of the user experience will change when you can control the cursor with your thoughts and input text without saying a word.
This course is now designed for independent study and completion of homework assignments. I understand that some tasks may be challenging for you.
For additional support, please use the chat in Telegram. Here you can ask questions related to the lessons or view examples of correct execution from other students.
The chat is not available for citizens of Russia.
Task 1. Analyze the interface of three items. For example, an air conditioner, a car, a washing machine, or come up with your own items that you use constantly. Specifically — explain what UI (which parts and properties) is present in the chosen device, and what UX is (why you chose these elements and arranged them this way). Try to get to the essence of it. For example, the handle is shaped in a way that makes it comfortable to hold in hand.
If you are unable to complete this task, re-read the section What is UX, UI design, and what is the difference? of this lesson.
Task 2 (advanced difficulty, optional). Analyze an item that has no buttons or electronics, for example, a spoon. Where are the UX and UI parts of the design? Why does it have this particular shape?
Task 3. Name one new type of interface that is not described in the lesson. They definitely exist, and you can even come up with your own.
Today you have become acquainted with the basic design terms. Please make sure you are well familiar with them. Complete the homework in full before moving on to the next lesson. Review the lesson again after some time.
Термостакан з пластику, має циліндричну форму. Колір може бути різним.
UX (зручність):
Зручно тримати в руці та брати з собою в машину чи на прогулянку. Оснащений кришкою, яка запобігає проливанню напою. У кришці є зручний отвір, що відкривається і закривається, щоб можна було пити прямо зі стакана. Термостакан зберігає температуру напою тривалий час.
UI (вигляд):
Дитяча коляска виготовлена з міцного алюмінію, доступна в різних кольорах.
UX (зручність):
Передні колеса поворотні, що робить повороти легкими та зручними.
Оснащена ременями безпеки для надійної фіксації дитини.
Капюшон захищає від сонця та вітру.
Задня ручка має різні режими висоти, які можна налаштувати під зріст мами чи тата.
Коляска легко та компактно складається, що зручно для транспортування в машин
UI (вигляд):
Bluetooth-колонка невелика, виконана з пластику та динаміків. Доступна в різних кольорах.
UX (зручність):
Легко тримати в руці та переносити.
Має кнопку ввімкнення/вимкнення зі звуковим сигналом.
Підключається до різних пристроїв через Bluetooth. Також супроводжується звуковим сигналом, що підключили чи відключи від гаджету
Можна слухати музику через карту пам’яті або флешку.
Заряджається від зарядного пристрою, є індикатори рівня заряду.
Коментар frusia.pro:
Вітаю!
Завдання 1. Ви згадуєте про властивості матеріалу дитячої коляски (міцний алюміній) в UI-частині. Це відноситься до досвіду взаємодії користувача, а отже до UX-частини. По решті все правильно.
Завдання 3. Схоже, що ви пропустили це завдання.
Я помітила в домашці досить дивні формулювання, наприклад, "виконана з пластику та динаміків". Прошу вас не використовувати лінгвістичні моделі типу ChatGPT або Gemini для отримання відповідей, адже так ви не зрозумієте суті уроку, а це саме важливе. Усі завдання треба виконувати самостійно. Якщо щось незрозуміло, то краще запитайте і я спробую допомогти.
Щоб продовжити, спробуйте знову зробити перше завдання, але самостійно. Чекаю на вашу нову домашку :)