Over the course of time I’ve developed my own hybrid proto-typing approach for graphical mocks. There are several benefits I have discovered by streamlining this hybrid process.

What are the benefits of Hybrid Prototyping & Mocking?

• More reliable layouts that fit expected content layouts (better predictability)
• Quickly create complex and realistic widgets
• Rapidly develop new HTML controls
• Use each tool (expressions, notepad, Photoshop, illustrator, acrobat) to its strength

More To This Story:  How Can I Speed up Proto-typing & Visual Design Mocks with Hybrid Design Proto-typing?

Welcome to my first in a series of design processes instructions and examples. These are setup in such a way as to walk you through development cycles in relation to creating, producing, usability testing, and execution from a UI Design stand point.

I’ve been wanting to get back to the core of this blog for some time. I think I finally have made some time to do this. For anyone that has missed out the original core of this blog is to examine the brainstorming, creation, and execution of an application. This can easily be a process that any company or individual can follow when creating a web application. Size of the application has no bearing on whether these principles can be applied.

More To This Story:  UI Design Series 1: Web Application Design Where’s The Vision? What’s The Value?

What makes a good design? Is it the process of creating the design, the aesthetic, or the usability? Does increasing a complex process for design force it to be good, or hinder a web application’s creative possibilities?

More To This Story:  Design Lessons: Should You Rush Your Design To Market or Stall it for Great Design?

Let’s talk about proper widget usage. It’s imperative to know when to use the right tool for the right job. I wouldn’t use a sledge hammer to hang a painting (unless it was a very large painting.) I wouldn’t use a socket wrench as a pliers. I could use a butter knife to screw something in, but is that the best solution? It’s all about using the right application piece at the right time.

More To This Story:  Which Widget is the Right Widget for My Application Design?

When is it appropriate to use icons in your application? This is a decision I always have to make when creating a complex application. There are several key factors that you can use to support your reasoning for
utilizing icons. It’s important to know why to use icons over some other method. What things should you avoid when creating icons and what should you do to create potentially successful icons.

More To This Story:  When is it the Right Time to Use Icons?