At work we are currently re-doing the architecture of our user
interface (UI) layer. We sat down to discuss what our objectives
should be in doing this initiative, and I found the objectives
so compelling that I think it could apply to any user interface.
Below are the major objectives in constructing a UI:
consistency, usability, navigation, visual appeal,
interoperability, performance, and accessibility. I should first
say that this list and its corresponding description are not
intended to be exhaustive. I realize that there are many layers
of complexity in this endeavor. Also, you’ll see how inter-
dependent they are on one another. If you do one poorly it shows
up in the others. Two Levels of Architecture Before I get into
each of these points I want to talk about the two levels of
architecture that are involved in the UI layer. The first is the
information architecture (IA) of UI. Here is a great definition
for IA. “Information architecture is the design of the structure
and navigation of an interactive