Tufte on Windows Phone 7 Series interface design
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Tufte on Windows Phone 7 Series interface design
1–10 of 23 posts
Re: Tufte on Windows Phone 7 Series interface design
#2Killer Quote:
"...Instead of impressing focus groups, designers should do a thought experiment: Imagine what Steve Jobs and Jonathan Ive would have to say about your interface..."
Re: Tufte on Windows Phone 7 Series interface design
#3Killer Quote: "...Instead of impressing focus groups, designers should do a thought experiment: Imagine what Steve Jobs and Jonathan Ive would have to say about your interface..."
Really? I liked:
"Of course Microsoft's customers are already familiar with deep layerings and complex hierarchies."
Re: Tufte on Windows Phone 7 Series interface design
#4This seems like off the top of the head M$-style ranting- he hasn't used an actual device so this is just guesswork.
Re: Tufte on Windows Phone 7 Series interface design
#5I have a ton of respect for Tufte, but I think he is wrong about a few things here.
After using the Zune for a few months, I'm surprised to see him say that it looks like it was designed on a larger device and then shrunk down to fit a handheld.
The UI is quite effective, and I believe the 'negative space' is actually quite effective at training the user to recognize scrollable areas vs. non-scrollable, as well as providing some breathing room rather than a full screen which would look too busy.
I do agree with the comments about the animations. Many animations on the Zune are very well done, and effective, but some (like the swirling name when going to an artist list from a currently playing) does seem to break context and takes a bit too long.
I'm sure they'll be tweaking the animations in future updates.
Re: Tufte on Windows Phone 7 Series interface design
#6I've got to give Microsoft credit: they tried! For the first time, it's an interface which isn't shackled to the ridiculously inappropriate desktop metaphor. They've designed something genuinely new for the phone.
On the other hand, I'm disgusted by the UI. Incredibly low information density, unbalanced visual elements, and many actions required to accomplish simple tasks. The transitions are beautiful, but they really should have focused on a concise interface suited to small displays.
What designer thought allocating 30% of the screen to show the second half of the word "Pictures" would be a good idea?
Re: Tufte on Windows Phone 7 Series interface design
#7This seems like off the top of the head M$-style ranting- he hasn't used an actual device so this is just guesswork.
It's hardly a rant when it comes from a guru like Tufte. The guy has literally written the books on displaying information, so he has a lot of experience to speak from.
Also, he provides specific examples (negative space by cross hairs, top & right margins on home screen).
Re: Tufte on Windows Phone 7 Series interface design
#8I have a ton of respect for Tufte, but I think he is wrong about a few things here. After using the Zune for a few months, I'm surprised to see him say that it looks like it was designed on a larger device and then shrunk down to fit a handheld. The UI is quite effective, and I believe the 'negative space' is actually quite effective at training the user to recognize scrollable areas vs. non-scrollable, as well as pr…
I haven't used a Zune but I'd really like to. Have you used an iPhone or Android and, if so, do you feel like it's easier to tell scrollable vs. non-scrollable on Zune than them?
Re: Tufte on Windows Phone 7 Series interface design
#9I have a ton of respect for Tufte, but I think he is wrong about a few things here. After using the Zune for a few months, I'm surprised to see him say that it looks like it was designed on a larger device and then shrunk down to fit a handheld. The UI is quite effective, and I believe the 'negative space' is actually quite effective at training the user to recognize scrollable areas vs. non-scrollable, as well as pr…
Exactly. Looking at pictures and videos of this UI and actually using it will certainly change ones prior opinion. I thought the Zune ui looked especially awkward. After using it as my personal music player it began to seem efficient and the information hierarchy extremely well thought out.
I think the biggest negative aspect of Microsoft being this late in the game in rebooting the windows mobile line is that theres now an inherent familiarity with the current smartphone interfaces. When all you interact with is an android device all day, the new windows phone ui seems alien. But again; once you use it that perception definitely changes. I know thats my experience as an android user with a Zune. The central question with the new Windows phone is how well does that 'metro' ui scale in the context of a smartphone device.
Re: Tufte on Windows Phone 7 Series interface design
#10Killer Quote: "...Instead of impressing focus groups, designers should do a thought experiment: Imagine what Steve Jobs and Jonathan Ive would have to say about your interface..."
Really? I liked: "Of course Microsoft's customers are already familiar with deep layerings and complex hierarchies."
Seriously.
I thought the mantra of presentations and UI design was Know your Audience. It would dopey to design for designers rather than trying things out with the people who are going to use the thing.