Simple is beautiful.

Part 2 of our 10 part series, 10 Things Every Developer Should Know About Design

Good metaphors:

If it’s a common function with a widely accepted metaphor, use it (or a variation of it). Some standard examples: Save (disk), Print (printer), Search (magnifying glass), Comment (speech bubble), Attach (Paperclip), Play (arrow/triangle). How do you find out what’s commonly used or accepted? Google Image Search for your action + “icon”. Some icons that aren’t quite as standard: junk mail, new document, download.

New metaphors:

When creating a new metaphor for a unique function in your app, find something from the real world to compare it to, a relevant metaphor and then use it consistently. Examples: iPhone scroll, OS X Coverflow.

Don’t be afraid to use all of the senses. Examples: iPod click on rotate, Wii remote rumble when hovering over letters.

Don’t forget the text:

Be concise. Eliminate unnecessary action words! e.g. Create Shape vs. Shapes. The more clutter that’s in there, the more they have to process.

Research:

Do Metaphors Make Web Browsers Easier to Use?

The long-term effects of integral versus composite metaphors on experts’ and novices’ search behaviors

Get To Know Your Users

Analytic Tools:

• Mint - http://haveamint.com
• Google Analytics - http://www.google.com/analytics/

User Testing Tools:

• Silverback App - http://silverbackapp.com/