user interfaces
Digital interaction layers
User interfaces are the points of contact between humans and machines—the screens, buttons, menus, and controls through which people interact with software or devices.
A graphical user interface (GUI) uses visual elements like windows and icons; a command-line interface uses typed text.
Good user interfaces feel intuitive; bad ones frustrate: The app's user interface was so cluttered I couldn't find anything.
Program converting text to audio
- alt textWritten substitute for visuals
- high contrastStrong tonal difference
- captioningAdding text to media
- text-to-speechConverting writing to audio
voice control · magnification · color blindness · assistive technology · inclusive design · readability
Visual computer interface
- CLIText-based computer interface
- touchscreenInput-sensitive display panel
- desktopPrimary computer interface
- mobileCapable of movement
web · terminal · console · wearable · kiosk · dashboard · virtual reality · augmented reality
Spatial arrangement of elements
- typographyArranging letters for display
- color schemePlanned set of hues
- wireframingPlanning visual layout schematically
- mockupsPreliminary design models
prototyping · visual design · iconography · style guide · white space · grid system · spacing · hierarchy
Brief sharp noise
- tapValve controlling liquid flow
- swipeQuick sliding motion
- scrollWound document of parchment
- hoverRemain suspended midair
drag-and-drop · gesture · touch · input · feedback · select · toggle · press
Disc through a hole
- menuList of available dishes
- dropdownExpandable selection menu
- toolbarSoftware button strip
- dialog boxInterface element requesting input
modal · tooltip · slider · checkbox · radio button · text field · search bar · navigation bar
List of available dishes
- breadcrumbFragment of baked grain
- sitemapWebsite's page directory
- searchAct of seeking
- back buttonWebpage reversal control
home · pagination · tabs · links · wayfinding · hierarchy · tree view · hamburger menu
screen reader
Program converting text to audio
- alt textWritten substitute for visuals
- high contrastStrong tonal difference
- captioningAdding text to media
text-to-speech · voice control · magnification · color blindness · assistive technology · inclusive design · readability
GUI
Visual computer interface
- CLIText-based computer interface
- touchscreenInput-sensitive display panel
- desktopPrimary computer interface
mobile · web · terminal · console · wearable · kiosk · dashboard · virtual reality · augmented reality · multimodal
layout
Spatial arrangement of elements
- typographyArranging letters for display
- color schemePlanned set of hues
- wireframingPlanning visual layout schematically
mockups · prototyping · visual design · iconography · style guide · white space · grid system · spacing · hierarchy · contrast
click
Brief sharp noise
hover · drag-and-drop · gesture · touch · input · feedback · select · toggle · press · pinch
button
Disc through a hole
dialog box · modal · tooltip · slider · checkbox · radio button · text field · search bar · navigation bar · sidebar
menu
List of available dishes
- breadcrumbFragment of baked grain
- sitemapWebsite's page directory
- searchAct of seeking
back button · home · pagination · tabs · links · wayfinding · hierarchy · tree view · hamburger menu · footer
- search technologysearch engines, search results, indexing, queries, ranking
- internetinternet, websites, web, browsers, web browsers
- digital librariesebooks, digital libraries, virtual libraries, digital catalogs, e-library
- programmingvariables, functions, for, function, debugger
- data servicesdata processing, data management, data storage, data integration, data analytics
- library catalogscatalog, card catalogs, catalogs, library catalogs, online catalogs
user interfacesbackend
Non-visible system layer
back end · server-side · infrastructure · under the hood · middleware
user interfacescommand line
Text-based computer interface
CLI · terminal · APIs · batch processing · command-line interface
user interfacessource code
Programming instructions before compilation
machine code · developer tools · under the hood · behind the scenes
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