Comments on: De-emphasize User Interface Controls

By: Martin

Martin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:50:41 +0000

Excellent post, but I can’t help but feel that some comments may have missed the point. He’s not talking about not using gradients etc, only to keep in mind the complexity that they add to your interface when you do use them. If everything shouts as loud nothing gets heard.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:08:10 +0000

I’m in no way proposing only black on white text or a DOS interface. I think that would be much harder to use than an interface with subtle effects to make the elements look more human. I’m saying you should de-emphasize certain effects, not completely eliminate them.

Here is an example to show you what I mean:

http://kevinholesh.com/sandbox/deemphasize-user-controls/good-v-bad-button.png

Which one do you like better? Perhaps at first glance, the second one attracts more attention. But imagine an interface full of those buttons. Each one would attract attention and end up distracting you from what you really want: the action behind the button.

The first one still looks like a button, but the unimportant design effects (gradients, drop shadows, etc) do not distract as much from the action the button performs, which is the most important part.

By: Akash Sharma

Akash Sharma — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:12:17 +0000

I think user-interface should be human and a device’s interaction levels should fit the user instead of the other way around.
Minimalist approach is just about focusing on what is important and removing every single clutter of what makes it fancy.
Thanks for sharing some good thoughts on the topic.

By: Tomaz

Tomaz — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:01:09 +0000

I too, disagree. While creating simple, usable webssite is necessary, i still think drop shadows make buttons look like, well, buttons. Input fields have a small shadow as well – helping people recognize it. So what you are proposing is black text, white background and a line here and there… And we are back in 1980s.

By: edo

edo — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:01:07 +0000

I agree for 50% of this post.
Graphics element is necessary to return a correct affordance.
Example,the stroke effect on your feed and search-lens improve afforndance? i think not. (sorry for my bad english)

By: Mixe

Mixe — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:43:08 +0000

sounds like a proposal to return to DOS like interface? Disagree with arguments.

By: Erken

Erken — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:23:19 +0000

I agree on the fact that ultimately, focus should be made on the actions performed by the buttons and other elements, not the elements themselves. But on the other hand, simple and well-integrated elements are what drive the users to click on ‘em and perform the action.
The key is always the same : balance.
Thanks for the article!

By: Charles Roper

Charles Roper — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:21:02 +0000

Good advice, but it could be greatly illuminated with a few examples.

By: Birgit

Birgit — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:41:33 +0000

While I agree that UI elements shouldn’t compete for attention, I don’t think that every gradient and drop shadow makes an element more difficult to use.

Subtle and well balanced 3D effects throughout a page can make the UI more intuitive and guide attention towards the right elements.

By: Don Rogers @creativelydone

Don Rogers @creativelydone — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:32:37 +0000

Interesting post. I agree people want speed of use, like buttons that load fast, so on. Making something that creates interest for the intended user is the main goal. You do this by designing for that audience. At times a minimalist look works , but there are times it would turn away the intended audience. There is a “way to much” limit on every design, you as the designer need to know what that is for your audience…research. Great read…thanks!