When designing icons, use the following basic rules: Minimum screen size: Icons must be legible at the minimum size displayed. Simple and varied: Keep the details simple, but have enough variety to tell the icons apart. 1” x 1” is the maximum displayed size. TIP: Try using the squint test.... [Read More]

Localization A translated string of text might be shorter or longer than its original version. In Arabic and Hebrew, text is right-aligned. These are but some of the factors to be considered before and during localization of UI. Tip: To safeguard against an overflow of translated text, design your text... [Read More]

When used effectively, typography can enhance the layout of UI elements and simplify the task of navigating and absorbing the information presented. Effective use of styles and fonts helps to visually communicate the brand of the title and to keep the user immersed in the experience offered by that title.... [Read More]

Designing for 10-foot UI The process of designing a console-controlled game or application is referred to as designing for 10-foot UI (although the median distance is 6 feet rather than 10). Contrast this with designing for a cell phone, tablet, PC, or laptop, where distances and screen sizes vary little.... [Read More]

Alignment and anchoring As a rule, always left-align elements for markets in the West, where most users read from left to right. For markets in Asia and Middle East, right-alignment might be required for localization purposes. Keeping these rules in mind can help create layouts amenable to localization. In the... [Read More]