GUI Design Guidelines

[#1]

Does anyone know of an up-to-date set of guidelines for developing good GUIs for desktop applications? I ask because I work on a large PB system that was originally developed by a team that had no formal PB training. The buttons used on the various sheets are confusing at best.

Save and OK and Close on the same window? What does OK do? It actually saves and closes. So does Close. Ugh.

I've been tasked with developing loose but acceptable 'standards' for new development (and to fix existing objects when needed).

Larry

[Former Member]

Hi Larry,

Microsoft have some good guidelines:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa511279.aspx

Instead of Tahoma or Arial use Sergeo UI.  That will lose the 1990s look. Remove as many lines as you can. Start with the 3d lowered on 3d lowered. Flat style the buttons.  Align to as few invisible guides as possible.  Minimise bold.

Lars