Lecture Notes · Week 3 work

Lecture 3: Design patterns for screen

  • Mobile begins with a small screen
  • Creating mobile designs forces designers to prioritise and alter their mental structure

Pattern language book

  • Design patterns and interactive design go beyond style and visual repetition
  • They have roles in the interface and software design
  • Words are used to describe patterns and are also supported by drawings, photographs and charts
  • It describes methods for constructing practical, safe and attractive design
  • These designs include cities, neighbourhoods, gardens, buildings, rooms and built in furniture

UI Pattern Proliferation

  • Responsive design can result in many websites looking similar
  • Design patterns have matured in today’s modern world
  • There is a small amount of innovation when it comes to interface patterns

Types of design patterns

Hamburger menu

Cox, N. (2010). Hamburger menu [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.logicdesign.co.uk/blog/hamburger-menus-in-website-design/
  • It is a symbol consisting of three parallel horizontal lines
  • It function as a button and is displayed on the top of the interface
  • Resembles the layers of a hamburger, thus its name
  • It is usually used for pages or options
  • In today’s modern world, it is used to save space on the screen 
  • Although, sometimes websites will have a video in a full size; causing the hamburger menu being the best option for these types of situations
  • It sometimes can be a combination of a draw menu and reveal/hide buttons
  • The main content slides out of the way or is positioned underneath and reveals the button by a tap or drag

Account registration

Image result for account registration sign up screen
Adi, G. (2016). Designs of account registration screens [Screen design]. Retrieved from https://www.sketchappsources.com/free-source/1866-sample-registration-screen-sketch-freebie-resource.html
  • This pattern appears when signing up for a site
  • A form can be filled out or buttons that allows users to link a social media account
  • Multi-step form wizards are effective because they display out the required fields, reducing friction and encouraging users to flow through the process

Long scroll

Image result for long scroll interactive design
Johnson, B. (2014). Long scroll screen designs [Screen design]. Retrieved from https://dribbble.com/shots/1494217-Kuvata-Full/attachments/224130
  • The technique works for websites that want to lure users through storytelling
  • It mimics multi page by breaking the scroll in sections 

Card layouts

Image result for pinterest screenshot
Sciarra, P., Silbermann, B., & Sharp, E (2010). Pinterest layout [Screenshot]. Retrieved from https://static.filehorse.com/screenshots-web/social-networks/pinterest-screenshot-01.jpg
  • Presents information in large spaces 
  • Each card represents one unified concept 
  • The rectangular shape makes the website easier to rearrange and is useful in all interfaces
  • Cards include information such as a title, username/author, image and various icons

Hero images

10-hero-image-website-ideas-to-inspire-you-5
Apple. (2017). Apple website hero image design [Screenshot]. Retrieved from https://assets.justinmind.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/10-hero-image-website-ideas-to-inspire-you-5.png
  • High definition images are one of the most powerful ways to grab a users attention
  • One common layout is a hero image above the scroll, followed by a zig zag section or a card space arrangement 

Animation

Design Screenshot
Mottes, M. (2015). Miki Mottes homepage [Screenshot]. Retrieved from http://www.mikimottes.com/
  • Illustrates storytelling
  • Animation should be considered carefully in relation to adding to the site’s story, elements and personalities
  • Scale animations are used primarily as an interaction tool eg. pop up notifications
  • Small scale animations include spinners, hover tools and loading bars, they do not require any user input
  • Loading animations are popular for flat design, minimal design and one page sites
  • Galleries and slideshows are an effective way to showcase images without overturning the users (are great for photography sites and portfolio)
  • Motion animation is effective, as user’s eyes are naturally drawn to motion, thus draws to their attention
  • Scrolling animation gives further control to the user, they can determine the pace of how the animation unfolds
  • Background animation can add visibility to the website and should be used in moderation as it can be distracting to the user

Material design

RumChaTa Material Design
RumChata. (2018). RumChata homepage [Screenshot]. Retrieved from https://file.mockplus.com/image/2017/12/4200ec6a-bae5-40bc-af59-3f9103fcfc00.png
  • Uses shadow effects, movement and depth in order to create designs that are more realistic to users
  • Goal is to create a clean design that focuses on user experience and assist other designers

Responsive design

segue-blog-considerations-when-planning-responsive-design
Segue Technologies. (2013). Responsive design example [Illustration]. Retrieved from https://www.seguetech.com/considerations-when-planning-responsive-design/
  • Becoming popular due to the rise of mobile and internet usage
  • Represents simple and cheap way for businesses to create a mobile friendly website
  • Tends to be minimalistic, keeping the page weight down

Reflection

The Week 3 Lecture Pod presented the idea of design patterns. The types of design patterns caught my attention, as I was not aware of the specific terms for the types of patterns. In the past, I have had knowledge of the ‘long scroll’, ‘card layouts’, ‘hero images’ and animation interface themes, although I did not take into consideration the amount of specifications and details that were included and that were was a name for it. These patterns are helpful for beginners in web designs because it introduces a wide range of information that can be useful to them for their future work. Furthermore, I realised that design patterns have evolved and progressed in the past, and introduces users into a more story-like setting.