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Getting Real: Pros and Pitfalls of Realistic UI Design

Aaron Weyenberg
October 27, 2011

Getting Real: Pros and Pitfalls of Realistic UI Design

A new generation of touch devices have proven to be exciting playgrounds for app designers. And with every new product we create, we have the opportunity to offer the most clear and efficient experience for our users. Recent UI trends often lean to realistic, faithful representations of analog controls and features. These designs can offer advantages, but also come with their own set of hazards.

In this session Aaron will lead you on a tour of current trends and practices, examining the strengths and drawbacks that realism brings. We’ll talk about things like mental models, innovation and usability as they relate to lifelike UI. Finally, Aaron will share some pragmatic guidelines to keep in mind as you build the next wave of mobile and tablet apps.

Aaron Weyenberg

October 27, 2011
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  1. Getting Real
    Aaron Weyenberg
    @aweyenberg
    Thursday, October 27, 11

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  2. Thursday, October 27, 11

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  3. Flickr photo: mwichary
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  7. Flickr photo: c_emery
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  8. Flickr photo: saxyjorge
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  17. Realism
    Decendent
    (Touch Device)
    Ancestor
    (Analog)
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  18. Weak form
    Texture
    Light & shadow
    Depth
    Skeuomorphs
    Strong form
    Texture
    Light & shadow
    Depth
    Skeuomorphs
    +
    Behavior
    Structure
    Controls
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  19. Strong form realism copies analog form & behavior
    Flickr photo: vanderveenr
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  25. 1980 1990 2000 2010
    Text
    Tables & Images
    Flash
    CSS
    Javascript
    Semantic Web
    Web 2.0
    Mobile/Touch
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  26. 1980 1990 2000 2010
    Text
    Tables & Images
    Flash
    CSS
    Javascript
    Semantic Web
    Web 2.0
    Mobile/Touch
    Usability
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  27. 1980 1990 2000 2010
    Text
    Tables & Images
    Flash
    CSS
    Javascript
    Semantic Web
    Web 2.0
    Mobile/Touch
    Usability
    Thursday, October 27, 11

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  28. 1980 1990 2000 2010
    Text
    Tables & Images
    Flash
    CSS
    Javascript
    Semantic Web
    Web 2.0
    Mobile/Touch
    Usability
    Crazy Image
    Maps
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  29. 1980 1990 2000 2010
    Text
    Tables & Images
    Flash
    CSS
    Javascript
    Semantic Web
    Web 2.0
    Mobile/Touch
    Usability
    Crazy Image
    Maps
    Insane Flash
    Sites
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  30. 1980 1990 2000 2010
    Text
    Tables & Images
    Flash
    CSS
    Javascript
    Semantic Web
    Web 2.0
    Mobile/Touch
    Usability
    Crazy Image
    Maps
    Insane Flash
    Sites
    Overzealous Touch
    Realism
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  31. Indiscriminate use of realism
    results in UIs that impair usability
    and stall innovation.
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  32. How?
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  33. Usability Innovation
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  34. Realistic UIs inherit both good and bad genes
    Flickr photo: deltamike
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  35. A Tale of Two
    Typewriters
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  40. I’ll just add modern features to
    my cool, retro design.”
    “No problem...
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  41. Realistic UIs contradict reality
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  53. Flickr photo: mr_t_in_dc
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  54. Pillboxie
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  55. Pillboxie
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  56. Flickr photo: mr_t_in_dc
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  57. Pillboxie
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  58. Realistic UIs consume space
    Flickr photo: eridius
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  59. NewsRack Reeder
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  60. News Kiosk
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  61. Camera+
    No. 1 photography app
    Over 2 million 3 million installs
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  62. Version 1.x
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  63. Version 1.x
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  67. Version 2.x
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  68. 2.7x revenue
    v1.x v2.0
    in one month
    http://taptaptap.com/blog/million-million/
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  69. So should we abandon realism?
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  70. Realism can
    utilize mental models
    add credibility & trust
    differentiate
    aid usability
    +
    +
    =
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  71. Well-designed realism can aid trust & credibility
    Flickr photo: usarmyafrica
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  72. MoneyBook
    ExpenSense
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  73. Budget Track Mint
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  74. Expense Tracker Nexus Money
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  75. Well-designed realism makes your app unique
    Flickr photo: carolmartinez
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  77. Features + Personality = Differentiation
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  78. Thoughtful realism leverages mental models
    Flickr photo: double-m2
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  79. RedLaser
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  80. Flickr photo: salemmapubliclibrary
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  82. Featured in Apple TV ads
    9+ million installs
    Acquired by eBay
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  83. Thoughtfully executed realism
    augments usability.
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  84. Usability Innovation
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  85. Indiscriminate realism stalls innovation
    Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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  86. Flickr photo: landerholm
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  87. Flickr photo: mwichary
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  88. Flickr photo: angryamoeba
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  89. Flickr photo: mariusm
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  90. Flickr photo: dmkrum
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  91. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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  92. Flickr photo: erling
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  93. Flickr photo: degilbo_on_flickr
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  94. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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  96. What if you had to
    start over?
    Multiline numeric display
    Calculate as you type
    Edit, undo, redo
    Add words for meaning
    Save and share calculations
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  97. Digits
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  98. Calcbot
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  99. Soulver
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  100. Digits Calcbot Soulver
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  101. Four considerations
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  102. Be efficient
    Don’t further limit the form factor of
    mobile devices at the expense of
    design realism.
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  103. Be honest
    Realistic design features should be
    consistent with and reflect reality.
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  104. Be unique
    Your app wants a personality.
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  105. Be inventive
    Think forward. Throw away old
    blueprints.
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  106. My job as a designer is to look
    into the future. Not use any
    frame of reference that exists.”
    Marc Newson

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  107. 1980 1990 2000 2010
    Usability
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  108. Thanks!
    Aaron Weyenberg
    @aweyenberg
    Thursday, October 27, 11

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