User
Interface Development
is defined as the development
of
websites, web applications, mobile applications, and software. The
User Interface plays a key role in the software
development life cycle [SDLC].
Most people assume UI
development
services
is all about creating websites and writing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript,
but user interface goes far beyond these technical terms. The goal of
the user interface is to make the user’s interaction as simple and
efficient as possible, in terms of accomplishing user goals.
Think
about it this way: The user experiences only front end interactions,
such as the look and feel of the website/application. More often than
not, they don’t concern themselves with the back end – like app
design, coding elements, or methodologies employed in content layout.
What’s more, users need to feel engaged and at ease when they visit
your website. That’s where UI engineers come into the picture –
to fulfill this task.
Cultivating
a User Interface can be divided into two phases in website or
application or
software
development services:
- Research + Design
- Development
Research and Design:
Research
and analysis are all about interviewing users & project
stakeholders and gathering their input to create a requirements
document that includes personas, user scenarios, user behavior, and
user experience evaluation metrics. During this phase, it is also
important to understand the target audience so as to better cultivate
a user experience design.
Business
analysts and a user experience team usually lead the research phase.
Both teams collect all information and inputs from users and project
stakeholders in order to discuss technical terms with developers and
project managers. Lastly, they prepare final documentation.
With
the help of documentation, UX teams start the design process. They
first create the wire frames
to bring a rough idea to the project stakeholders and users.
Wireframes are presented as a comprehensive screen layout consisting
of black and white sketches of every screen in the application. At
this point, the visual and graphic design processes dictating the
visual appeal have not yet begun.
Wire-frame Example:
Next,
developers must focus on creating prototypes that will simulate the
real application. A prototype can contain one or more features, but
it actually does nothing. It merely simulates the behavior of a real
application, and users can see color combinations and minimal
functionality in real time. Wire
frames/Sketches and
Prototypes are done by UX designers.
Tools to create Wireframes and Prototypes:
- Balsamiq Mockups
- Axure
- Gliffy
- iPhone mockup
- InDesign
- Photoshop
- Fireworks
- Dream weaver
UX
Designer Role and Responsibilities:
- Strong conceptualization ability, strong visual communication ability, drawing skills and sketchbook technique.
- Strong working knowledge of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Fireworks and associated design tools.
- Strong working knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript/JQuery.
- Experience with user interface design patterns and standard UCD methodologies.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, especially the ability to clearly articulate design decisions with stakeholders and development teams.
- Understanding of common software development practices.
- Solid understanding of user-centered design principles, careful attention to detail, and ability to grasp complex, nuanced product requirements.
- Collaborating on user experience planning and researching interaction design trends.
- Researching technology trends.
Note:
Responsibilities would be based on company and project requirements.
Read
More: A
few examples of UI Developer technologies
Reference
Links: