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UI/UX development companies increasingly use research findings to enhance UX design and attract consumers' interest.
When crafting the ideal user experience (UX), the key lies in using an ideal combination of text and images tailored specifically for their users' needs; Don Norman writes about this principle in his book “Emotional Design”; high-quality aesthetics can evoke strong emotions which in turn boost brand recognition and sales.
Understand How Images And Icons Function in UI Design?
Visual elements, like icons and images, help with recognition by creating emotional associations with online content.
Websites that integrate written and visual content often use images and icons as branding for products they sell; images create their distinctive look while giving products unique identities; when combined successfully, they enhance both experiences and look and feel for users. A successful combination of user interface and visual design results in increased satisfaction with product appearance and feel.
Understanding how images and icons are utilized within user interface design is of utmost importance; in this article, we'll review some useful techniques for implementing images, illustrations and icons on websites/apps.
1. Images for UI Design
Research suggests that when users browse a website or app, they consider its layout, navigation, content, and presentation - according to experts, "Humans can process visual and audio information up to 10x faster than text".
Here is an example. A skilled designer should focus more on selecting images that enhance recognition than recall.
There Are Many Types of Images
This list highlights all the images available when creating user interface designs, helping designers understand where these pieces might best fit.
1. Hero banners: are placed prominently at the forefront of any banner or product, often using images with eye-catching characters or headings that catch people's eyes and grab attention from users.
2. Market banners:Market banners are promotional banners posted between blog posts to draw attention to special offers or deals.
3. Thumbnails are small images used to represent larger ones and facilitate easy management and scanning of many images.
4. Product photos: Used for showing multiple views of one product in all e-commerce and shopping applications, product photos are essential in conveying product features accurately.
5. Avatars: Avatar are images used to portray user profiles. You should know when it is appropriate to use imagery versus illustration - often, they serve different functions but should never be confused!
6. Images:Imagesare high-resolution resized images frequently used as illustrations, such as pictures depicting oceans or the sea.
Images can also serve other uses besides illustration, such as: Once you have an idea in mind, use theme-based designs to illustrate it visually and demonstrate it with specific details such as faces. Evoke emotion through these creative pieces!
7. Illustration: High-resolution vectors are created to illustrate your concept.
We tailor-make vectors specifically tailored to suit each concept according to your specifications and make any modifications that might be required.
Use Apple Memojis when: (you need a way to illustrate a concept). Visualization using graphs.
Personalized designs on Apple Memoji. [ You want to tell an engaging tale ]
How to Make Effective Use of Images?
- Adopt effective image usage habits by adhering to these tips.
- Images should be used effectively to convey an effective message.
- Contrast is essential while using real faces helps draw in visitors. Select High-resolution Images
- Images increase engagement and satisfaction among your target users - imagery drives more traffic while improving user experiences. Consequently, choosing images to drive user traffic drives up ROI because images drive engagement and user experiences.
- Make the most out of user interface design using images. To maximize their impact, do so when possible.
- Utilizing images as part of UX design provides several advantages, including:
- Easy recognition, takes less space, and aesthetic compatibility, system icons enhance brand identity, and global acceptability are some benefits of our product enhancement / aesthetic compatibility strategies.
- Translation is unnecessary
- Additionally, icons should be chosen carefully to maintain consistency between sources - mixing different icons creates visual discord that looks unprofessional in design projects. Use images consistently, as this conveys their meaning more efficiently.
The Use of Icons in UI Design
Icons represent virtually any concept or entity; for instance, the Home icon could indicate the landing web page.
These beautiful design elements combine text with imagery for maximum visual effect; effectively using icons can improve user experience and enhance product appearance.
Related:- Optimizing Mobile Applications with Mobile UX Design
There Are Many Different Types of Icons
Communication through icons has never been simpler or faster; let's examine each available icon type.
- Globally recognizable icons: These icons have become globally accepted. Their use would convey desired messages; traffic and emergency signs are specially recognized for communicating their purpose.
- Referred icons: These icons refer to an existing product/idea; piggy banks reference physical piggy banks, while bulbs represent concept ideas.
- Icons we have learned/arbitrary: These icons form part of our everyday vocabulary, such as those seen on social media representing likes. Additionally, many have mental models for menu items as a source for secondary/additional choices.
- Icon set: More commonly referred to as operating system icons, icon sets represent various OS such as Android, Windows or IOS with identifiable icons that represent each one - for instance, Apple's icon for settings is easily recognizable on IOS while Windows' window logo can easily be confused as being its home button.
The Icon Design Process
- Filled icons: Filled icons refer to icons that have one dominant hue or gradient throughout, filling every square. Filled icons tend to be less popular as they tend to be more fun; fitting these designs with product designs may prove challenging, so creating one that suits its theme may be necessary to use it effectively.
- Outline/Stroked icons: Modern icons feature only their outline, making them more adaptable and dynamic.
- Uniform outlines icons (UOI): Uniform outlined icons are box or frame icons used for visualizing active states, though this style should only be employed rarely due to limitations posed by , These icons are eye-catching. Boxes create visual clutter. Their fixation points make scanning them difficult when both have similar shapes - which often occurs.
- Without uniform outlines: Icons without uniform outlines are used most frequently due to various reasons Icons aren't particularly prominent, and their irregular shapes allow users to scan information.
- Labeled icons: Icons don't stand alone - they come equipped with labels. Labels help users avoid confusion between conflicting information or icons by providing context when necessary; typically placed below or at the bottom of an icon's image, this helps understand its purpose more readily than without. Around 88% of users can effectively understand its interpretation when labels accompany an icon.
- Designers should avoid over-relying on icons alone when conveying complex or difficult meanings since creating icons is often complex and novice users may struggle with aligned icons; therefore, designers are strongly recommended to include action text with these images - for instance, a left-aligned icon could include text such as "Left Aligned," as used by Microsoft Word.
Visually Create a UX/UI That is Phenomenal
Each image tells its tale, and to effectively design content, it's best to know exactly what the story will be before starting writing.
Images with striking visual appeal may captivate and hook viewers into wanting more, yet some images don't always add anything positive; too often, they take up unnecessary space or, worse, cause unnecessary confusion to viewers; choosing inappropriate imagery could prove fatal for any project's success or fail altogether.
Visuals can be more impactful in drawing users in, so be sure that any supporting images match up perfectly with your text.
Select images relevant to the product's goals and those which fit with its context.
Images Should Not Generate Visual Clutter
Images do not conform to the "more is better" principle, so avoid spending excessive time creating decorative images that people are likely to ignore.
Instead, focus on images that convey your products' main function while only including one or two striking pictures that grab users' attention in your designs.
High-Quality Assets May Be Used Without Distortion
Image-Focused Design Is Not Appropriate for Every PageIt is important to attract attention, but this can make other elements more difficult to use and see.
You may be creating a visual overload by putting too much emphasis on your images.
This can distract your users and prevent them from engaging with your content. This effect is evident in SoundCloud, where the images take up all of the screen space, and the buttons are barely noticeable.While image-focused designs are appropriate in certain cases (e.g., Apple's home page is a good example of a balanced approach), images used to support products should not overshadow other content or obscure functionality.
Visually Create a UX/UI That is Phenomenal
Attracting attention can be vitally important; however, doing so could make other elements harder to use and see.
Placing too much emphasis on images could create visual noise for users and prevent them from engaging with your content.
SoundCloud illustrates this point perfectly - images take up nearly all of the screen real estate while buttons barely register as visible on screen elements.Images-focused designs may be appropriate in certain instances (Apple's homepage is an exemplary case), provided they don't overshadow other content and obscure functionality.
Multi-Media Use
Illustration and photography can both coexist within one product.Photography can be an extremely powerful medium for conveying specific stories or showing specific entities, like roses.
The illustration is more effective at communicating concepts or metaphors.Illustrations may help with comprehension when total precision is not essential.
You Can Focus On One Thing
Images are an extremely effective visual communication medium to deliver your message quickly and clearly; concepts are conveyed simultaneously with a clear focus, while an unclear image could leave viewers baffled and unintelligible to interpret.
Focus point blurring can lessen an image's iconic quality and degrade its iconicity. Avoid making viewers search for the message in an image; rather, ensure your concept is communicated clearly so it sticks in their memory.
Pay attention to what's most essential about your images while reducing unnecessary distractions.
The Real People
Images can be an extremely efficient means of visually communicating a message quickly and directly; concepts are easily conveyed, while an unclear image could leave viewers perplexed or indecipherable to interpret.
Focus point blurring can diminish an image's iconic quality and significance. Avoid making viewers search for meaning within an image; ensure it is presented clearly so it will stay in their memories.consider what matters most in your images while eliminating distractions that don't contribute.
Combining Images and Designs
Consider when using images as part of your design whether or not they will fit with the aesthetics of your website or app.
Squarespace's homepage serves as an exemplar in terms of using images with elegance and modernism - featuring plenty of whitespace and full-screen, large images.
Images That Should Be Used And Those You Shouldn't In Your Design
Imagery plays an essential part in design - both digital and print alike - it connects viewers and users more readily to brands while offering them a more humanized experience.Research demonstrates that 70 % of individuals would rather look at images before reading text as this form is more visually appealing.Selecting imagery carefully when designing is important for success, rather than using random pictures as placeholders.
Finding images may take both time and resources.
This list will save time when searching for images for your design project.
Staged
At its worst, staged imagery gives users the impression that what they see on your website may not be genuine and trustworthy, leading them to seek other services instead.
Furthermore, using staged imagery gives other designers an impression that your design decisions were unthoughtfully implemented, such as just picking an image off Google Images without much consideration for each.
How to Determine If Something Looks Real or Fake:
Are they looking at you when asked? With every query asked, do they look directly into the camera or smile as though recognizing an awkward conversation exchange or laugh as it happened?Does their back remain turned towards you when sitting or standing up?Do they appear serious while pointing at something but not speaking? Does everyone in the picture appear interested by holding onto their chins and pretending to be interesting?
Vector Illustration Art
If you rely on cheap vector illustrations and infographics from sites such as iStock for your designs, it would be prudent to reevaluate your skills as a designer.
Some designs I've encountered do not convey their site's message or purpose.Illustration and graphic design must also be original. Big brands such as Google and Dropbox don't use preloaded vector illustrations - instead, opting for something specific and identifiable only by their brand.
Multiple brands could reuse stock illustrations simultaneously, making designers appear lazy.
Lifestyle
Of course, designers tend to favor realistic imagery over more conceptual or modern ones when working on designs for our clients.
When telling clients this advice, we recommend adding human qualities like texture or "strong imagery."
Unsplash makes it easier to locate photos that resemble life situations than ever before, providing users with lifestyle photos on the Internet.
What to Keep an Eye Out for When Searching Lifestyle Images:
People should look away from the camera while having conversations - rather than simply staring into space with blank stares pointing and nodding their heads in unison at each other and staring back directly into it with eyes closed, pointing toward an inanimate pointer on the screen.
Such shots would qualify as lifestyle photos. Do the other people in the room look engaged rather than like they have just been forced into being present? Likewise, should there be any uncertainty about an action being performed, does someone appear midway between actions, does someone appear interested or are others present, etc.?
Action Shot
Create excitement in your design using this image by capturing something happening mid-action within an everyday scenario.Examples of Action shots include those featured on Cooking Websites: an image showing flour being scattered instead of simply an ordinary stock photo staring into an oven.Website for a restaurant: a realistic scene depicting four friends conversing around a dinner table while opening at least one wine bottle; not staged dialog but real-life dialogue.
Travel Website
An action shot showing a father playing with his son on an inflatable plaything while exploring sand and sea is displayed here, disproving any notion of actors walking along a beachfront scene.
- Extreme sports website: Skater or BMX-er in mid-trick at a skatepark; not staged photo taken along the roadway.
- Website for horse racing: close-up images showing jockeys giving it their all, not staged images with many jockeys gathered together at one starting line.
- Website for legal services: videos show real cases and families represented by winning attorneys rather than staged lawyer-suit smiles at fake desks.
Location Shots
Create an eye-catching location picture while keeping in mind its relevance to where your website resides; using images taken in California as the backdrop when your business exists in Manchester would only send out misleading signals and create confusion for potential clients and users.
Buildings
Please avoid including buildings in your corporate and legal designs; they add nothing significant.
Over the past eight years, I've witnessed many corporate websites featuring zoomed-in images of large glass buildings as an easy shortcut - something any viewer knows is the result of lazy design: designers opted for what was quick rather than what would create impact regarding meaning or image selection.
Mobile/tablet With Over-the-shoulder Handle
Imagery can be challenging, and I often struggle to craft them myself. There's no question that most websites, desktop applications and mobile apps must depict actual humans using and interacting with the software; most available images appear cheesy and staged; when mockups show up, they tend to look unrealistic, so I prefer not using such images when possible.
If you want to demonstrate how something appears on a tablet, desktop computer, mobile phone or other platform, there are various free mockups available online that may assist.
No longer does holding an iPad needlessly demonstrate what its appearance would be - look at websites such as Sketch App; there's not even one image showing people sitting behind computers depicting how an app will look when displayed - yet still attractively achieves its objective - selling software is what people care about seeing not how someone looks while using it!If you want to demonstrate the convenience and accessibility of an app on a smartphone, use an image showing someone accessing it - instead of showing just a mockup app in front of a camera screen - they know exactly how it appears when someone uses their phone, making this point clearer for potential viewers.
Close-ups of Patterns
As a graphic designer, I find inspiration in close-up shots of everyday patterns and shapes seen daily by individuals - they create perfect minimalist designs!
Signs
Sign imagery is something I cannot abide by in design; this form of communication can be awkward at best and makes for poor user experiences in responsive digital design.
Use sign imagery for blog and social media posts related to what was displayed - perhaps "open" signs? Alternatively, use these graphics in modules on apps and websites instead as background images.
Food & Drink
As with most consumers, I find it off-putting when brands use photography that does not belong to them to promote their restaurant or bar.
Like everyone, I like knowing exactly what it looks like before purchasing anything; why show a stock image if I cannot receive juicy and attractive burgers myself? Either take your photos yourself or hire a photographer and direct their shoot so it meets both brand requirements and personal taste.
Mountains
Do not include mountains in any design unless your app or website sells tours to them.
While mountains might look inspiring, including them is likely just lazy design at work, as there's nothing specific you want them to say there. They lack meaning. It would help if you didn't try to convey a message through them.
Travelers
There are many stock images like the one above; I have yet to figure out a way to put them to good use.
A random indie-styled person standing in the middle of nowhere conveys no meaningful information to users about that company - this doesn't make me want to purchase their travel website! What I like more are lifestyle pictures that focus on activities you enjoy when traveling rather than staring into space in awe.
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Takeaways
Images and illustrations should effectively convey your message without overusing them and diluting their meaning.
Make sure they focus on key messages for maximum impact and avoid repetition.
Consumers may become frustrated if they see repeated or similar images. Use images to tell a visual storyline, taking your user on an immersive visual journey with headings, text, and images acting together to guide users.
Images must make an immediate and eye-catching impactful statement about their topic or service offering, inspiring users to recall it with pleasure in years to come by using such diverse images to unleash the true potential of your business and maximize visual design.
