InteractiveFish

EyePuzzles Google Earth Target iPhone [hide]

Case Studies

interface [re]design

One of the best ways to understand and develop better user interfaces is to examine existing applications, identify the pros and cons and figure out how things can be improved. This section of the site aims to pick out various applications (web and desktop) and discuss their interfaces (regardless of the amount of improvements necessary).

These redesigns were initially done as a demonstration for Apple highlighting Mac-like design practices for User Experience Evangelism.

There are curently three redesign case studies on this site and two upcoming:

EyePuzzles	This program provided by EyePuzzles.net is available for download. Its aim is to allow users to load images or video clips, add effects and turn the resulting image into a puzzle - but that's not immediately clear when faced with the actual application. Our goal: make the functionality clear and the overall usability better. GO »
Google Earth	Google Earth, a popular and widely-used mapping application has an array of advanced functionality, but it doesn't necessarily fit into the Mac family of applications. Some interface elements do not mimic those of the Aqua interface and some of its functionality is lost due to overcrowding. Our goal: make the application more Mac-like and ensure visibility of all functionality. GO »
Target iPhone	In the new age of mobile media, it's become increasingly necessary to develop mobile versions of websites. In this case, we examine Target's website to determine which aspects would make for a suitable iPhone interface. Our goal: remove any complexity and make an application that's extremely easy to use and useful. GO »
Apple HIG	The Apple Human Interface Design Guidelines provide documentation to Mac developers on how to properly design the user interfaces of their applications so they stay consistent with the rest of the Mac platform. The site's content is primarily textual with a few illustrations. Our goal: create better navigation, readability, graphics and branding. Go »
CraigsList	Craigslist is a centralized network of online communities, featuring free classified advertisements (with jobs, internships, housing, personals, for sale/barter/wanted, services, community, gigs, resume, and pets categories) and forums on various topics. But its interface design is plain HTML without any style. Surely this can be improved upon... Go »

Do you know of an application or website that's in desperate need of a redesign? Show it to me and I'll try my hand. Email eric@interactivefish.com

Web vs. Desktop

Some of these case studies involve interface redesign for desktop applications. And while much of this website is concerned with designing the user experience online, the same principles can be applied for software.

Navigation principles, spacing, consistency, readbility and usability are just some of the examples that apply to both types of applications. One major difference is, of course, the lack of the "client-server" relationship. With software, you have all the code you'll ever need to run the program and won't need to jump from page to page reloading content.

Nevertheless, the goal of this area of the site is to explain interface design in the more "stable" environment of desktop applications.