A simplified user interface (SUI) is an illustration of a software interface that reduces irrelevant information to abstract shapes to create a "stylised but instantly recognisable image" that conveys the contextually important details.[1]
Similar in look to wireframes, SUIs have uses in marketing,[1] user onboarding (for instance by Slack[2] and Google Analytics[3]), and technical communication.[4][5]
As well as improving the speed and clarity of communication, for those creating documentation SUIs offer a degree of future-proofing against incremental changes to the interface,[1] and aid the translation of documents into other languages.[6]
Further reading
- Johnson, Tom (19 January 2019). "Write the Docs podcast episode 33: simplified user interfaces, with Anton Bollen". I'd Rather Be Writing. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- Saremba, Leonie & Bollen, Anton (February 2021). "Simplified graphics and screenshots in software documentation". TCWorld. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- Segelin, Steve (2018). "Graphic content warning: the pros, cons, and alternatives to screenshots". WriteTheDocs. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- Cassidy, Kat. "Creating beautiful SUIs". katcassidy.com. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
References
- ^ Bollen, Anton (7 August 2019). "Simplified graphics: meet the new design style for technical communication". LinkedIn. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
(Originally published as 'SUI: revolutionising graphic effects', Communicator, Summer 2019, Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators (ISTC).)
- ^ Simon, Justin. "3 great examples of simplified user interface". TechSmith. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ^ "Discover". Google Analytics. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ^ Ballard, Paul (Summer 2021). "The globots are coming". Communicator. ISTC. pp. 14–15.
- ^ "Simplified user interface". Society for Technical Communication (STC). Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ^ Wiedemer, Michele (19 January 2019). "Simple solutions to evergreen images". LinkedIn. Retrieved 27 June 2021.