Difference between revisions of "Slicer3:TranslatingBrandIntoUIDesign"

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* All icon image data for application GUI can be found in '''Slicer3/Base/GUI/ImageData'''. Individual modules may use these icons too, as well as define their own.
 
* All icon image data for application GUI can be found in '''Slicer3/Base/GUI/ImageData'''. Individual modules may use these icons too, as well as define their own.
 
* Conventions for icons as menubuttons, radiobuttons and checkbuttons, see [http://www.slicer.org/slicerWiki/index.php/Slicer3:Human_Interface_and_Style_Guide_for_Developers#Icons_as_PushButtons.2C_MenuButtons__RadioButtons_and_CheckButtons here]
 
* Conventions for icons as menubuttons, radiobuttons and checkbuttons, see [http://www.slicer.org/slicerWiki/index.php/Slicer3:Human_Interface_and_Style_Guide_for_Developers#Icons_as_PushButtons.2C_MenuButtons__RadioButtons_and_CheckButtons here]
* Checkbuttons & Radiobuttons: either consistently use custom icon checkbuttons or radiobuttons (for cross-platform consistency), or do not use custom icon checkbuttons or radiobuttons anywhere.  
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* Application should have a consistent presentation of checkbuttons and radiobuttons. So either use the custom icons provided in above reference, or use default presentation consistently, application-wide.  
  
  

Revision as of 17:51, 8 October 2009

Home < Slicer3:TranslatingBrandIntoUIDesign

Return to Slicer3 Interface Design and Usability


General Design Guidelines that Reinforce Slicer's Brand

Core values of the 3D Slicer software and development effort

Software associations:

  • Clarity & usability
  • Control & Precision
  • Information richness
  • Interactive & responsive
  • Reliable & Trusted
  • Easily extensible
  • Open source & cross-platform
  • Showcase for advanced research

Effort associations:

  • Advancing scientific research
  • Assisting treatment/therapy
  • Established and long-term

Design concepts that reinforce the brand

GUI Appearance:

  • Clean white background
  • Precise hairline around buttons, icons, menubuttons, and white background.
  • Black text labels where reasonable.
  • Verdana is the font of choice, if GUI toolkit permits (can compromise on this for usability issues).
  • Icon conventions are here
  • All icon image data for application GUI can be found in Slicer3/Base/GUI/ImageData. Individual modules may use these icons too, as well as define their own.
  • Conventions for icons as menubuttons, radiobuttons and checkbuttons, see here
  • Application should have a consistent presentation of checkbuttons and radiobuttons. So either use the custom icons provided in above reference, or use default presentation consistently, application-wide.


Appropriate Acknowledgement:

  • It's very important to acknowledge contributing projects, labs, and funding agencies. Provide a standard space for acknowledgement for any software module within the module.
  • Preserve the footprint of space beside Slicer's logo; do not include other logos in the main application GUI.


Compact, readable design:

  • Where possible, multiple pop-up interfaces should be avoided; this can lead to clutter.
  • Functionality in module interfaces should be clearly and cleanly grouped
  • Where possible, group functionality in collapsible frames, so a user can hide unused elements and simplify Slicer's face.
  • The highest level of functionality grouping should be visually dominant (e.g. "Input", "Parameters", "Display", "Results"). See Stacked or Tabbed groups.
  • All modules should reinforce the same organization.
  • Choose a tabbed panel if each subpanel will require scrolling; choose a stacked panel if there would be too many tabs arrayed horizontally.
  • Arrange stacked or tabbed subpanels in an order representing workflow, up-to-down, or left-to-right respectively, where appropriate.
  • A secondary level of functionality grouping should be more subtle, and visually distinct from the highest level.
  • The density of widgets should be carefully considered. Widget packing should provide enough space to maintain readability, yet be compact enough to minimize the need for scrolling.
  • All widgets have balloon help on mouse-over for clarity.