Specifications

13 | USER INTERFACE

DESIGN GUIDE

a spatial relationship between the button and the list. This helps the user make the connection clearly and quickly just by

looking at the placement.

Readability and Flow

This principle calls for ideas to be communicated directly and simply with minimal visual interference. Readability and ﬂow

can determine the usability of a dialog box or other interface component. When you design the layout of a window, consider

the following questions:

• Couldtheideaorconceptbepresentedmoresimply?

• Cantheusereasilystepthroughtheinterface?

• Doalltheelementshaveareasonforbeingthere?

Dimensionality

Many elements in the interface template use perspective, highlighting, and shading to provide a three-dimensional

appearance. This emphasizes function and provides real-world feedback to the user’s actions. Be careful not to overdo the

use of dimensionality when designing your own visual elements. Avoid unnecessary nesting of visual elements and the use

of three-dimensional effects for an element that is not interactive. Introduce only enough detail to provide useful visual cues,

and use designs that blend well with the interface.

Areas of the Modero X Panoramic Interface Template

The current Modero X Panoramic template (Fig. 1) was designed using a gridded layout. A global grid determines the

arrangement of content and controls screen-wide. While permitting easy scanning and organization, this forces the entire

interface to be oriented towards the bottom of the screen. If you are laying out elements differently or without a grid, give

careful consideration to content and control orientation. Users ﬁnd an application easier to use when its interface is visually

uniﬁed and presents a consistent and predictable work environment. The following sections will describe each portion of the

global grid as well as assets and functions utilized within the design.