Modern UI Design

Abstract

Modern smartphones and tablets have taught us one thing: user experience (UX) is of critical importance. No matter how complicated your operating system, no matter how well the Apps are engineered, it comes down to this: is it fun to use? Design language guides the way content is presented and manipulated on smaller computing form factors, and as such, is arguably the biggest contributor to a pleasant UX. In this chapter, you take a close look at some history behind Microsoft’s design approach in phones/tablets, as well as taking a deep-dive into Modern UI design language — the principles and guidelines for Windows 8 Store App developers. This is pivotal to understand and keep in mind as you develop your Apps. It is the glue that holds it all together. Throughout the rest of the book, we’ll get plenty technical; but for the best possible user experience, please keep coming back to this chapter to make sure that the design guidelines are being honored. Specifically, in subsequent chapters, as we talk about building Windows 8 Store Apps through the use of right controls, content structuring, navigation, layout of content on canvas etc., you should see a very strong connection back to the basics we lay down about the Modern UI design language in this chapter. Onboard? Let us do design right.