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Using a Graphics Tablet to Aid Your Design Work

December 11, 2015 /

A graphics tablet is an input device which allows users to feed information into a computer by hand. It involves the use of a stylus, which takes the place of a pen, in order to produce hand-drawn designs, animations, graphics and typography. This allows for more individualised design creations than might otherwise be possible through using design software alone, and a tablet can therefore be an important tool for design professionals to utilise.

A graphics tablet will allow a designer to have more control over what they’re able to create for their clients. If a client has some very set ideas, it may not be possible to bring them to fruition using just a computer. By having the tablet available, the design professional can realise a customer’s ideas quickly and easily, transporting them straight to the computer screen to work on with the rest of the design rather than having to work separately with pen and paper.

Prices of graphics tablets are largely variable – you can essentially pay as much or as little as you want to. The model which you choose to purchase will depend on the features which you want and which you’re willing or able to pay for. More expensive models will typically have a higher precision level and more manoeuvrability.

An Overview of the Steps Involved in Design Engineering

November 24, 2015 /

Design engineering forms the basis of all engineering disciplines. In fact, it is considered to be a more practical solution to all common problems. Its steps are seen throughout the product design phase, system engineering phase, development phase as well as in the manufacturing phase. Collectively, these steps serve as a guarantee for a smooth transition from a mere concept through to actual production and eventual launch of the item, equipment or system designed previously into the market.

Taking into consideration the definitive nature of design engineering, the whole process is characteristic of a very straight forward procedure which encompasses the steps highlighted below.

Identification of the problem

As strange as it may sound, in the absence of a problem, engineering of a design can never proceed. In the terms of product design, a “problem” usually addresses a particular customer or market requirement. For instance, within an industry, there may be urgent need to make improvements onto some equipments etc. regardless of the problem, whoever raises it or the person who needs it, it just has to be solved.

Take note, prior to the commencement of any actual engineering works, an in-depth research is carried out in a bid to establish the most potential solutions for the user. In addition to this, existing products and all possible solutions are also carefully examined. All of this collectively assists in defining all the requirements of a particular product or system.
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Using Dominance in Your Design

November 20, 2015 /

Dominance in design is to do with attracting attention to the right parts of the page at the right time. It’s an important part of creating a positive user experience and will help to ensure that your brand’s design work has the desired effect on your target audience.

The dominant element of the page is the part which you want people to pay attention to first. This could be your logo, an advertisement title, an offer or anything else which is considered to be the initial part of the design for a customer. It’s usually created through contrast; the dominant part will be bigger or in some way bolder than other elements of the design. Surrounding the dominant object with white also helps by making it effortlessly take prominence within its immediate vicinity. The greater the contrast, the more dominance you will have.

Dominance will create a hierarchy within the design by guiding the eye to the most important element first, giving the design a focal point. This then allows you to guide the viewer’s eyes around the page so that they take in all of the elements at the right time. It’s even more important than you might think – if people struggle to take what they want to out of a design, they’ll just move on. Make it immediately obvious to your viewers what they should be looking at.

Using a PC or Laptop For Business

October 21, 2015 /

Many businesses require the use of some kind of computer. Be it a desktop PC, laptop or tablet, the advantages of some kind of computer system are far too obvious to ignore.

Most businesses that do make use of a computer either use a laptop or a desktop PC. Both of these do relatively the same thing, you can send and receive emails, browse the internet or manage word documents.

But it’s not so much in what the different types of computer can do. It’s more in how they allow you to do it.

Mobility is a great example. A laptop can run on its own power supply, allowing you to use it varying places. This can be a necessity depending on the type of business you have. Someone who has clients that they visit personally will make great use of a portable computer like a laptop.

 

Help Messages Hand-Holding the End-User

September 28, 2015 /

Not everyone wants to be told what to do, all of the time. Sometimes help messages can come across this way, as instruction rather than assistance.

Many parts of a website or software program often require some sort of notification or tooltip to instruct the user of how that particular function works. This is a fact and rightly so should there be a help message in these instances.

But when help messages become a feature in and of themselves, then the developer may have gone too far.

The best way to discern if you may be putting in too many help-messages, and potentially annoying the end user is through testing. Other human testers will be able to let you know if they feel they are being ‘hand-held’ through the software, and patronised in the process.

After all, the software or website is going to be used by a human. It makes sense not to annoy him or her unnecessarily.