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Whitespace killed an enterprise app

uxdesign.cc

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Re: Whitespace killed an enterprise app

#111

Post by aidenn0 »

duxup wrote: post #72
lesss365 wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What made you switch to development?

The industry I worked in was networking (data center products, routers for ISPs, etc), but technical support. I did that for 20 years. Even though it was pretty high end stuff.... everyone hates technical support and I found that generally companies eventually devalue it as time goes on. I got tired of that system. I got paid really well but just got tired of seeing the atmosphere at company after company get more ne…

Biggest issue I had with technical support was that it dials the cynicism up to 11; if someone calls tech support, either the product or the customer did something stupid. Therefore, no matter how good the products or smart the customers, it starts to feel like all the products suck and all the customers are idiots.

Re: Whitespace killed an enterprise app

#113

Post by aidenn0 »

tenaciousDaniel wrote: post #106
SlightRespect wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Craigslist is _the_ case study on how an ugly UI can survive over a long timeline. There are many techies and UI designers that are just disgusted at the UI of craigslist. For some, aesthetic is more important than usability. Luckily, for most, it's not.

Yes exactly. CL is probably my favorite website on the internet, for the sheer reason that they have virtually not changed at all since they first launched over 10 years ago. It's fairly incredible. I can't think of another website that has done that.

http://rinkworks.com/

Re: Whitespace killed an enterprise app

#114

Post by stronglikedan »

We use an enterprise MIS and the developers just did this very thing to us. When I reported it, they just said to decrease the zoom level in the browser. Of course, they blew me off when I asked how that reduced the ratio of whitespace to data, which leads me to believe they're in denial of the problem. Just to reiterate some sentiments already expressed here, "Spacious. Minimalist. Clean." is great for consumer/entertainment/etc. apps, but you can pry my data-density from my cold, dead hands when it comes to business apps where real work needs to get done.

Re: Whitespace killed an enterprise app

#115

Post by pbhjpbhj »

bachmeier wrote: post #52
varikin wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> ASK! ASK! ASK! Except users lie all the time. They don't know what they need or want. People are horrible at being logical about what will actually help them. Watch them work. Watch a bunch of people work. Test and prototype changes and watch more people work. And watch them work at their desk or where ever they work.

> Except users lie all the time. That's the starting point for all the garbage enterprise apps I've ever used. Someone that has no clue what the users are doing makes a decision about how best to design an app that they don't even know how to test. Don't ask them how to design the app. Ask them what they do with the app, then find the best way to get them where they need to go. Then let them test the first and second…

You all them what they do, and they say things like "I open my email, ...":

If you watch them you see that what they mean is (dramatised!) "I open my browser, which defaults at Google, then on the Google home page I type 'bing', click on the first search result, then go back because it wasn't Bing search but something else, then read the results and find bing search engine, follow that, login to Bing, then access the app button to choose "Outlook" online, ...".

You might not be able to train them not to search for a URL, but IME users will click an "outlook email" icon on desktop or favorites/links bar; of course you need to watch them to see if they do.

Aside: browsers could fix this but the browser makers are either the SE owners or in their pockets and don't choose to.

Re: Whitespace killed an enterprise app

#116

Post by tenaciousDaniel »

aidenn0 wrote: post #113
tenaciousDaniel wrote: post #106

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes exactly. CL is probably my favorite website on the internet, for the sheer reason that they have virtually not changed at all since they first launched over 10 years ago. It's fairly incredible. I can't think of another website that has done that.

http://rinkworks.com/

holy shit

Re: Whitespace killed an enterprise app

#117

Post by godshatter »

I think interfaces should be constrained to match the specifications of your input devices and screens. If your users use a mouse, then dense windows with lots of check boxes and radio buttons is usable, and probably preferred. If your users might interact with fingers on a tablet or phone, then you need more space around things to make it easier on the user.

I've never been a fan of trying to build one interface that works for all systems. It sounds great in theory, but in the end you are left with everything at the level best suited for the least capable system. Same goes for games, by the way. If you see I'm using a mouse and a keyboard, present me a different interface than if I'm using a controller.

Re: Whitespace killed an enterprise app

#118

Post by dalyons »

SlightRespect wrote: post #64
danielvaughn wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

God yes, the older reddit interface was so much better. I don't give a shit how pretty the UI is.

Craigslist is _the_ case study on how an ugly UI can survive over a long timeline. There are many techies and UI designers that are just disgusted at the UI of craigslist. For some, aesthetic is more important than usability. Luckily, for most, it's not.

I think craigslist survives _despite_ its ugly UI just because of market lock-in/inertia. the ui is awful from a utility/ux, pov - it’s limited and hard to shop/browse with.

Re: Whitespace killed an enterprise app

#119

Post by duxup »

aidenn0 wrote: post #111
duxup wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The industry I worked in was networking (data center products, routers for ISPs, etc), but technical support. I did that for 20 years. Even though it was pretty high end stuff.... everyone hates technical support and I found that generally companies eventually devalue it as time goes on. I got tired of that system. I got paid really well but just got tired of seeing the atmosphere at company after company get more ne…

Biggest issue I had with technical support was that it dials the cynicism up to 11; if someone calls tech support, either the product or the customer did something stupid. Therefore, no matter how good the products or smart the customers, it starts to feel like all the products suck and all the customers are idiots.

Yeah there's a lot of negativity you have to combat.

Everything is a "problem", and the executives at the company, often feel that way about support itself.

Re: Whitespace killed an enterprise app

#120

Post by beaconstudios »

Mindwipe wrote: post #97
fermienrico wrote: post #2

Am I the only one like dense information? There is judicious use of whitespace (Swiss layout, Brockmann et. al) and then there is the whole material UX enchilada. I prefer Foobar2000 over Apple Music. Give me dense, logical and flat layout over 50 page long hierarchical layout full of whitespace. Whitespace is tiring when used extensively.

Whitespace is toxic in design. As a trend I can't wait for it to die in fire.

it's a tool. As with many tools in our industry it has acquired hype, leading it to be used in situations where it isn't appropriate. That doesn't detract from the fact that there are appropriate cases for it.
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