Day 14 - Quick Tips User Interface Design

Remember these are guidelines, not rules. Try these:

1. Try a single column layout instead of multiple columns to narrow distractions. Include a call to action at the end.
2. Try consolidating similar or duplicate functions into one in order to reduce fragmentation and confusion.
3. Reduce choices.  Too many choices may cause indecision on the part of the user.
4. Be direct in your content. If you're copy is using words like "maybe", "probably", or "perhaps" then this is an opportunity for you to be more authoritative.
5. Try fewer form fields and engage your users quickly.  Every form field you add makes the experience more labor intensive, increases friction, and makes it more likely that your user will drop off.

Day 3 - Three Usability Guidelines for Forms

Here's a few usability guidelines when creating forms:

 * Forms are generally vertical so form labels generally work best above the fields. Users fill forms from top to bottom and putting labels to the left of the form creates two columns.

 * The ideal search box is 27 characters wide according to studies done by web usability expert Jakob Nielsen.   

 * Provide inline validation in forms.  Validation messages are shown immediately after the user types in data to form fields.  Inline validation gives the user real time feedback as they fill in the fields.