The future of web and UI design
Web designers have historically had to work within a tight set of restrictions. Computer’s were restricted to 256 colours, with only 216 consistent across Macs and PCs; Keyboards and mice were the only input devices used for navigation, and; Users generally only accessed content sitting at a desk — either at work or home with a monitor. All of those restrictions no longer apply; designers aren’t limited to the same set of strict rules. Users access sites from TVs, phone, tablets, laptops and other devices, all from a variety of locations. They expect a consistent experience and web designers are now asked to work across these multiple platforms so it’s crucial to create an adaptable set of visual design rules that can be implemented.
Many websites fail now that they are being accessed on mobile screens with touch inputs; or viewed on a TV with a remote control. So I’ve been investigating the future for interface design to ensure concepts for visual languages we’re developing now will work when they are live. Here are some of the more interesting findings:
TAT published a concept video late last year exploring the future of screen experiences, looking at technologies such as dual, malleable, e-ink and holographic screens:
Syzygy Lab have a TV experience concept that explores using a combination of devices while watching TV to bring personalisation:
Notion have also explored a similar concept; using an iPad while watching TV. Their execution perhaps isn’t as nice but still serves to re-enforce the concept of multi-device usage from the living room.
IDEO have created this concept for the future of self service banking, including a rich touch screen interface:
Greg Kaufman has created a digital DJ table using a multi-touch screen that mimics real turntables. There’s definitely a movement towards blurring the lines between digital and real.
There’s also interesting research from Microsoft on Mobile Surface devices; perhaps more interesting is the idea of using the body as an input surface with Skinput, and it’s associated interface design restrictions.
Mozilla Labs have also explored projected user interfaces with their Seabird project.
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[…] With 3D relevant information can be brought in to the foreground of a space while non-relevant content can still exist but in the background. All evolving the notion of progressive disclosure. The UI integrates with content rather than just sitting over the top on a flat 2D plane. HTML5 sites have started to play with the idea of multiple planes such as the Nike better world website but games lead this methodology because they adopted gestural input and were able to render 3D environments first. Many games overlay the UI in the game world (see my previous post of user interface design for games) but the idea could be used in a film also. An audience may interact directly with a character in a film to then break out in to their wikipedia or IMDB page. They may then drag content from the TV to their table device in order to inspect closer (see my other post on the future of web design). […]