User interface design or user centered interface design makes a web application or software more user-oriented, so that users are able to optimize its use. Today, both websites and web applications are no longer limited to the desktops, but are also being built for the mobile platform. Whatever the nature of the platform, the importance of usability remains the same and so do some of the core principles that determine user centered interface design.

Let’s take a look at some of the principles that have a significant role to play in ensuring that the design interface is user friendly.

Understanding the Users is the Key

The reason why, understanding users and their goals is important is because your users are going to have no interaction with the core components of your web application, website or software. What they will actually be doing is experiencing the system as a whole, so if the UI doesn’t consider this fact, the system won’t be able to meet all the goals and objectives of the users. This is why it’s important that you are able to understand the users, their needs, and what is it that they require from a particular system. This will help you provide them with a UI that helps them access the various features and functionalities of your system in a manner that is effective and comfortable.

For this, you need to begin by identifying the users, the functionalities that they want; their objective for using the kind of system that you are developing, their technical expertise and experience and also understand the ways in which they would like to interact with their software or web applications.

The UI should be Easy to Understand and a Joy to Use

If the user not enjoying using your UI, it means you have failed to offer a great user experience. Let’s take the example of an iPhone app. What separates the successful apps from those that end up a failure? Is it the features and the functionalities? Do successful apps have brilliant programming that makes them enjoyable to use? The answer to these questions is a big No. What helps them stand out from their competitors is the degree of usability of their UI. Their interface is very easy to use and users don’t need to spend time understanding its nitty-gritties. It’s the UI that determines whether the app is a big hit with the user or not. This same brand of thinking can be applied for all systems, whether it’s a website, an application or software or something else. Using the most familiar navigation structure and design elements will work more than trying to make the UI as inventive as possible.

User are looking for constancy

A principle often ignored by developers is that of consistency. Your UI should be able to ensure that users are able to maintain their spatial orientation. Users are looking for a consistent look and feel, but it’s not just limited to the design. They are also looking for consistent response from the actions performed on the interface. Users are bound to feel disoriented if there is a marked change in the navigation links and the action buttons are not found where they usually are. By ensuring that all elements of the UI are consistent with the expectations of the users, you are ensuring that they don’t need to put in a lot of effort for understanding its use.

Consistency makes for simplicity and it is simplicity that wins appreciation from the users and nothing else.

Allow the UI and users to interact with one another

Allowing your users to offer feedback ensures the thumbs up for an UI. Everybody loves a UI that they can interact with and not just one way interaction, but a dialogue. As can be imagined, this is difficult and not many user interfaces are able to form a dialog with their users. But, you can use certain elements that can act as a catalyst for creating a dialogue process. One such element is ‘labeling’. Yes, something as simple as labeling the UI will ensure that it makes more sense to the user. Another great way of initiating a dialog with users is by integrating a feedback mechanism within the UI. Something as simple as a feedback form will do the trick and will work wonders for your UI.

As can be imagined, these four principles are not the only principles you have to keep in mind to ensure a UI that is not only reliable, but also offers optimum performance. But keeping them in mind will definitely set you on the right track.