user interface
Software interaction layer
A user interface is the part of a device or program that a person interacts with—screens, buttons, menus, and controls.
The term often appears abbreviated as UI.
A graphical user interface (GUI) uses visual elements like icons and windows rather than typed commands.
Good interface design makes technology intuitive; bad design frustrates users: The app has a clean user interface.
Brief sharp noise
- tapValve controlling liquid flow
- swipeQuick sliding motion
- dragResistance through fluid
- dropFall or release
hover · scroll · gesture · touch · input · feedback · responsive · real-time
List of available dishes
- breadcrumbsDried, crushed loaf pieces
- toolbarSoftware button strip
- sidebarAncillary text box
- dropdownExpandable selection menu
tab · scrollbar · pagination · hyperlink · carousel · accordion · hamburger menu · back button
Disc through a hole
- iconPictorial screen symbol
- widgetUnspecified small device
- formShape or document
- dialogVerbal exchange between parties
notification · badge · avatar · progress bar · spinner · card · chip · switch
Known without reasoning
- seamlessWithout visible joins
- effortlessRequiring no strain
- straightforwardClear and uncomplicated
- self-explanatoryClear from its own terms
learnable · discoverable · forgiving · consistent · predictable · efficient · satisfying · onboarding
Visual computer interface
- touchscreenInput-sensitive display panel
- desktopPrimary computer interface
- mobileCapable of movement
- web appInternet-accessed software
dashboard · kiosk · smartwatch · tablet · command line · heads-up display · wearable · embedded system
Edge-only geometric model
- mockupPreliminary design representation
- prototypeFirst functional specimen
- layoutSpatial arrangement of elements
- typographyArranging letters for display
color scheme · visual hierarchy · white space · iconography · style guide · branding · aesthetics · fidelity
Program converting text to audio
- assistive technologyDisability-compensating devices and software
- alt textWritten substitute for visuals
- high contrastStrong tonal difference
- ARIAWeb accessibility attribute standard
text-to-speech · closed captions · voice control · perceivable · operable · understandable
click
Brief sharp noise
drop · hover · scroll · gesture · touch · input · feedback · responsive · real-time · pinch
menu
List of available dishes
- breadcrumbsDried, crushed loaf pieces
- toolbarSoftware button strip
- sidebarAncillary text box
dropdown · tab · scrollbar · pagination · hyperlink · carousel · accordion · hamburger menu · back button · header
button
Disc through a hole
dialog · notification · badge · avatar · progress bar · spinner · card · chip · switch · dropdown
intuitive
Known without reasoning
- seamlessWithout visible joins
- effortlessRequiring no strain
- straightforwardClear and uncomplicated
self-explanatory · learnable · discoverable · forgiving · consistent · predictable · efficient · satisfying · onboarding · affordance
GUI
Visual computer interface
- touchscreenInput-sensitive display panel
- desktopPrimary computer interface
- mobileCapable of movement
web app · dashboard · kiosk · smartwatch · tablet · command line · heads-up display · wearable · embedded system · cross-platform
wireframe
Edge-only geometric model
- mockupPreliminary design representation
- prototypeFirst functional specimen
- layoutSpatial arrangement of elements
typography · color scheme · visual hierarchy · white space · iconography · style guide · branding · aesthetics · fidelity · responsive design
screen reader
Program converting text to audio
- assistive technologyDisability-compensating devices and software
- alt textWritten substitute for visuals
- high contrastStrong tonal difference
ARIA · text-to-speech · closed captions · voice control · perceivable · operable · understandable
- computingcomputer, computers, software, hardware, code
- designdesign principles, functionality, emphasis, unity, graphic design
- desktop computingdesktop, mouse, keyboard, monitor, cursor
- graphic designlogo, font, typography, layout, color
- IT systemssoftware, server, hardware, servers, databases
- app technologymobile apps, app store, push notifications, in-app purchases, app updates
user interfacebackend
Non-visible system layer
back end · server-side · kernel · infrastructure · middleware
user interfacecommand line
Text-based computer interface
CLI · API · application programming interface · command-line interface · terminal
user, usable, users, interface, usability, user-friendly, interfaced, interfacing, user interfaces