GUI Design Guidelines

[Former Member]

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 · Accepted solution]

Hi Larry;

  Wow .. its sounds like you need my old PowerGuide PowerExpert products ... "Standards, Procedures and Guidelines for PB"!  It was sold for me by a former company named AJJA.

Regards ... Chris

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi, Chris. How are things in the great white north?

How do I get a copy of said guidelines?

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi Larry;

   Lots of snow (25+ cm) today here in Ottawa!  

   Shoot me a private email and I will send you a PDF copy (originally deployed as .HLP files).

Regards ... Chris

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Um... don't have your email anymore and I don't know how to do it from these forums. So, here's mine and you can reply to me (if that's ok): [email protected]

L

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

You can get it from either:

a) TheTaeKwonDo website I run:  http://www.syeoh.com/index.php?option=com_contact&view=category&catid=41&Itemid=68

or

b) One of my Blogs:  http://chrispollach.sys-con.com/

HTH

[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