Tag: UX

Glassmorphism – How to Leverage This New UI Trend in Your Website

Posted on by galaxy-admin

Another year, another UI design trend making waves – Glassmorphism  

Each trend or practice brings different perks and challenges alike. While we all like to be adopt different and newest design trends, we also need to ensure that our design is future-proof and will not go out of style after a few months. 

Glassmorphism is the latest UI design trend everyone trying to emulate. We prefer to be at the forefront of new UX trends and here are our learnings after experimenting with this eye-catching and vibrant design trend – Glassmorphism.

Glassmorphism
Image by Galaxy Weblinks

Glassmorphism is largely about highlighting light or dark objects by placing them on vividly colored backgrounds. The design has elements of transparency, frostiness, or glossiness. Glassmorphing is that “airy” interface where you see objects floating within space. Eye-catching and colorful, this trend favors multi-layered approaches. Resembling milky glass surfaces, the interface is grabbing a lot of attention.

Designers have been playing with this style of the interface in a major way. Glasmorphism is there in a larger number of published website designs. For instance, Apple used this effect on the latest update of macOS Big Sur. Microsoft also used this new interface on the app surfaces of Windows Vista and named it “The Acrylic”

The likes of Apple and Microsoft are using this interface. This trend is being followed by all those who want to make a lasting impression on their visitors. It is safe to say that Glassmorphism is here to stay. It is a promising design that has a lot to offer.

Glassmorphism in Apple Big Sur
Image by Galaxy Weblinks

All brands regardless of the nature of the work can incorporate this sort of interface. It is an all-weather solution.

User experience lays the foundation for happy, satisfied customers. Here is how UX makes a lasting impact – 

A product’s ability to woo the audience rests on how strong, seamless, and speedy the interface is. As a conscious effort, the designers strive to create simple and minimalist designs and avoid using unnecessary information or low-resolution photos. The intriguing and minimal design keeps visitors engaged for longer. Glassmorphism UI complements modern design needs and user behavior. 

Here is what constitutes Glassmorphism Aesthetics 

Glassmorphism components
Image by Galaxy Weblinks

Here are some insightful tips on how we make this design work for our client’s website, for your website:

  • Not applying the blurring and transparent effect in areas that require active interactions.
  • Not using this design aesthetics in buttons, toggles, navigation menu, and similar elements.
  • Use transparency and blurring for boosting the overall look and feel, not only for decoration.
  • Applying fitting contrast with the cards in the interfaces for ease of accessibility.
  • Right spacing between the cards. Grouping together all the objects related to one another.
  • Choosing the right contrast and intuitive grouping of cards in the design layout
Glassmorphism
Image by Galaxy Weblinks

Glassmorphism usage is based on the designer’s discretion and they must use it judiciously. It is beautiful and minimalistic but falls short in the accessibility standards. Our design experts are exploring new trends and creative ways of making web products. At the same time, we try to overcome the shortcomings if there are any. Therefore, we are ensuring a higher level of accessibility in our web designs where we are leveraging Glassmorphism. 

Design is subjective, not bound by any rules. Websites are user-friendly and beautiful when the designers push their boundaries and experiment with the design trends. Glassmorphism is the latest trend and like the other trends, this will be replaced by something new soon. However, it does make a statement and if you wish to leverage this trend, we can help you while ensuring that the design is sustainable, future-proof, and accessible.  

Get in touch with our design team here and have a one on one about Glassmorphism. Contact us here!

UX Writing: The Art of Designing Conversations

Posted on by galaxy-admin

A staggering 88% of online consumers are less likely to return to a site after a bad experience, and often, it’s the words that make or break this experience. Bill Gates once remarked, “Content is king,” and in the world of UX, this rings truer than ever. UX Writing isn’t just about filling in the blanks; it’s about creating a narrative that guides, engages, and resonates with the user. This article explores the multifaceted role of UX Writing in shaping digital experiences, offering insights that blend strategy with creativity.

The Essence of UX Writing

UX writing is a vital aspect of user experience, guiding interactions between humans and digital platforms. It involves crafting conversations, from button labels to error messages, and its effectiveness relies on clarity, conciseness, and contextual relevance. UX writing is the unsung hero of user experience, leading users through a digital landscape without their awareness.

Conversation Design and User Interface Copywriting

At the heart of UX Writing lies Conversation Design, a discipline that shapes the dialog between user and interface. It’s about anticipating user needs and responses, ensuring that every interaction feels intuitive and human-centric. Similarly, User Interface Copywriting focuses on the language used in these interactions, blending clarity with personality to create a seamless experience.

Content Strategy for UX

A robust Content Strategy for UX underpins effective UX Writing. This strategy involves understanding the audience, their journey, and the desired outcomes of their interaction with the interface. It’s about creating content that not only informs but also engages and delights users, thereby enhancing the overall user experience.

Implementing UX Best Practices

A key aspect of UX Writing is aligning with best practices. This includes clear and concise language, maintaining a consistent voice and tone, and ensuring accessibility. For example, Dropbox’s use of friendly, approachable language in its interface helps demystify cloud storage, making it more accessible to non-tech savvy users.

Applying Actionable Insights

Actionable insights are at the core of effective UX Writing. This means not only understanding the user’s journey but also anticipating their needs and responses. Jst like when Spotify users search for a song that’s not available, the app doesn’t just display an error message; it suggests similar tracks. This proactive approach turns a potential frustration into an opportunity for discovery.

Microcopy in UX

Microcopy, a small text snippet, can clarify functions, address user concerns, and inject personality into the interface. It’s a blend of utility and creativity, providing essential information in a tone that resonates with the user. Airbnb’s search functionality uses a conversational touch to personalize the experience and set a relaxed tone, exemplifying UX Writing at its finest.

Digital Communication Design

Digital Communication Design in UX Writing involves the arrangement and presentation of text, incorporating factors like typography, color, spacing, and hierarchy to enhance readability and user comprehension. 

Good ways also involves presentation, as the layout on a screen significantly impacts information processing. Google’s simple search page is an example of this, designed for ease of navigation for all demographics.

User Experience Best Practices

Adhering to User Experience Best Practices involves creating content that is accessible, inclusive, and empathetic. It’s about understanding the diverse needs of users and ensuring that the interface is usable and understandable by all.

Voice and Tone in UX

The voice and tone used in UX Writing should align with the brand’s personality and the context of the user interaction. This consistency in voice fosters trust and reliability, while the appropriate tone can enhance user engagement and satisfaction.

Accessibility in UX Writing

Accessibility is crucial for ensuring content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users, including those with disabilities. This approach not only meets legal requirements but also expands the reach and inclusivity of digital products. Microsoft’s inclusive design principles demonstrate this, catering to a wide range of abilities and reaching a broader audience.

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)

Understanding HCI principles is crucial in UX Writing. It involves recognizing how users interact with computers and designing text that facilitates these interactions in the most efficient and satisfying manner.

Real-World Digging

A study by NN/g found that clear microcopy can boost task completion rates by 22%, while user-friendly language in error messages reduces frustration and increases satisfaction. Effective UX Writing can boost a website’s conversion rate by 17%.

Conclusion: Crafting Digital Excellence with Galaxy Weblinks

UX Writing is an art that requires a deep understanding of user psychology, a flair for language, and a commitment to creating intuitive and engaging digital experiences. It is important in crafting digital experiences that are not only functional but also emotionally resonant. It’s about creating a conversation that feels personal, informative, and inclusive.

At Galaxy Weblinks, we understand the power of words in the digital space. Our approach to UX Writing goes beyond mere aesthetics; we focus on creating content that drives engagement and fulfills user needs, ultimately contributing to a seamless user journey. Our expertise in UX design, digital marketing, and web development is not just about building platforms; it’s about crafting experiences that resonate, reflect, and respond. Let Galaxy Weblinks guide you through the nuanced landscape of UX Writing, where every word is a deliberate step towards enriching user experiences.

Offshore UX | An option or need of the hour?

Posted on by galaxy-admin

The world of business is changing dramatically. Real-time data and advanced analytics tools allow companies to adapt their strategy instantaneously and, as the COVID-19 outbreak showed, technology now also allows us to communicate instantly with workers no matter where they are located.

As businesses all over the world had to rapidly adapt their technology stacks to a remote work environment, many are considering whether to allow employees to work at home post-pandemic. But there’s another option available to business owners who have suddenly found that managing workers remotely isn’t as bad as they had imagined — offshore contractors.

While many job roles have been contracted out for a while now, some have always remained in the realm of on-premise talent. One of those roles is the UX designer. In this post, we’ll talk about why it makes sense for your business to hire offshore contractors to handle your next UX design.

UX design has become a requirement

Notebook with UX designs

With the increase of technology in our daily lives comes increasing demands from consumers. Interfaces must be able to compete with the increasing standards. More products will begin to need UX designs. Being a market leader in your space, or even just staying afloat, will require it.

Even if you haven’t needed a UX designer in the past, there’s a good chance you will in the future. With that in mind, let’s talk about why offshore UX is a good business decision for your current or future UX designer needs.

Local talent can be hard to find

Sign board

Because of the demand for UX designers, it can be hard to find local talent that is also available for full-time work. This is especially true if you want to hire top talent, which will command a higher price and be harder to keep on staff without some other company coming along with a better offer.

Thankfully, some of the same skills you look for in a full-time employee are what you’d look for in a remote employee. For both, you want someone who is a self-starter and will get the work done on time and on spec with minimal oversight on your part. As top UX designers realize they can make more working for themselves and taking on multiple jobs at multiple firms throughout the year, it becomes easier to find a qualified person for the job without having to commit full year’s salary.

The economics of developing nations

Flags

In nations where costs are low, the highest-paid professions may pay little more than you would pay a UX designer. This means that UX designers in those nations can price themselves very competitively compared to western nations and still live a very comfortable life relative to their peers.

Of course, you’ll have to put some effort into finding the right candidate when you look outside English-speaking countries. Residents of most countries learn English as a second language, but you want to make sure that they speak it well enough that no language barriers exist. With offshoring, you’ll save money and provide someone with a better income than they could get in their economy alone.

Technology breaks down boundaries

people working

Because it is such a visual art, there was a time in the past when doing UX work remotely would have been extremely difficult. This may be why there is still a reluctance on the part of many to embrace outsourced UX designers.

We now have technology that allows us to video conference and share our screens easily. There are cloud-based solutions, such as Miro and Invision, that allow for collaboration on even the most advanced projects so you’ll be able to give feedback to designers in a professional manner and ensure that nothing gets lost in the translation.

Combine that with the fact that all but the poorest of countries have access to high-speed internet, it is now possible to engage in real-time feedback even for visual projects like UI and UX. The boundaries that once stood in the way of taking UX design off-premise have now been torn down by technological advances.

Offshoring is flexible

If you’re a large business, you already have a design department with competent directors and senior designers. In that case, it will be the additional workers that take the vision of the senior members and help implement it that would make prime candidates for offshore workers.

For small businesses, it is impossible to hire a full-time staff to do your design work. Offshoring makes finding someone for a one-off job even more affordable.

Conclusion

For most companies, hiring designers local is the way it’s always been done. With the coronavirus pandemic teaching us that remote work is not only possible but very practical, it may be a good time to consider the more affordable option. Now that we know situations can arise to force us into our homes, it would be a good time to take what we’ve learned from the outbreak and use that to experiment with new, cost-effective, and disaster-resistant forms of business.

How to conduct a mobile usability test?

Posted on by galaxy-admin

It is important to know that there are more variables when it comes to recording mobile usability test. The technical set-up for this test is quite simple, but it is a little bit different from the standard usability testing.

In this article, we are going to look at how to set up and conduct a mobile user test.

First, what is mobile usability testing?

This is a usability testing of a website, application, accessory, or anything else that a user might interact with on a mobile platform, such as a smartphone or tablet.

When and why should you conduct a mobile usability test?

Anybody that regularly conducts this type of test would tell you how powerful it can be.

Seeing is believing; a twenty minutes video clip showing users how to use your software is more powerful and eloquent than you can say. As with any usability study, increasing the ease of use leads to increased revenue and happier customers.

The earlier the testing is done, the better. This type of test can quickly find and correct major problems that might be extremely difficult or costly to fix in a finished product. So, user testing, without a doubt, is the best way of gathering requirements.

Setting Up and Conducting a Mobile Usability Test

It is important to know that any of these guidelines can be adapted to fit a specific need or desire, even if you are not using a mobile lab at all.However, without a mobile lab, it’s more difficult to observe and capture users’ interactions with your mobile site or app.

setting up mobile test lab with camera

A simple mobile usability lab only requires three things:

  • A camera (i.e. a webcam) with some extendable or cradle to observe and capture the mobile device and user’s interactions.
  • A computer to display the camera field for observers.
  • A recording software to record the session for later review and analysis.

Ok, what should a standard mobile user lab look like?

Here’s what a standard mobile lab should look like:

Use two webcams 

One should be on an extendable arm positioned to record the device from above, and the other to see the user’s face.

As long as the webcam shows their face, you will be able to get a good picture of where they are in the experience.

It also allows you to observe the user’s gestures interaction. This way, you can tell if they try to tap, swipe, pinch, or otherwise interact in ways that are not supported.

The webcam focused on their faces, allows you to see their emotional response throughout the test.This valuable feedback allows for real-time, user-specific lines of questioning based on their reactions.

Depending on the objectives of the test and the platform being used, you can occasionally take advantage of platform-specific features such iOS’s Airplay, Mirroring to show the device’s screen on the computer.

Tools You Can Use

usability testing tools available in the market

Morae:

You can use Techsmith’s Morae suite to capture and record the webcam video and audio feeds.This way, you can see what the users are doing while they are doing it and record this for post-test analysis. It also allows you to observe the user’s experience from another location remotely. They can focus on task at hand, rather than turning to talk to a moderator. Finally, Morae offers unique post-test analysis capabilities, including storyboard editing to make video clips of the test highlights.

Userzoom

Ok, apart from Morae, you can also use Userzoom. This tool consists of testing large samples and allows you to build your study and task. It creates a study with task for users to perform in their natural environment. Also, Userzoom can test any mobile website or a hosted prototype on both iOS and Android services. With this tool, you are sure of getting quality data.

Silverback

This is another great tool you can use to do your testing. It has similar functions with that of Userzoom. It captures the face and also gets to see what the user is doing clearly. Silverback enables the recording, editing, analysis and playback of testing sessions. You can easily share the video stream with anyone who wants to view the session remotely. We have found that video clips are an excellent way of illustrating our findings for our clients and their project managers.

Irrespective of the tools, you would need to define your goals both business and test goals to get insights and ask the right questions to your subjects.

How Zeplin Transforms Agile Workflows?

Posted on by galaxy-admin
With 71% of businesses using Agile approaches, tools like Zeplin are becoming more and more important. They’re not just facilitating smoother workflows; they’re reshaping how teams collaborate on software development. Zeplin, specifically, has made notable strides in this area, revolutionizing the way design and development teams interact.

Design Systems and Zeplin: A Synergy for Success

Zeplin’s role in reinforcing design systems is vital in an Agile environment. By providing a unified platform for design elements, it ensures coherence and uniformity across projects. A notable example is Airbnb’s design system, which utilizes tools like Zeplin to maintain a consistent brand and user experience across their digital platforms. By streamlining their design process, Airbnb has managed to reduce design discrepancies significantly, leading to a more cohesive user interface.

Streamlining UI/UX Feedback with Zeplin

Feedback loops are essential in Agile development, and Zeplin optimizes this by bridging the communication gap between designers and developers. For instance, Dropbox reported enhanced efficiency in their design process after integrating Zeplin. The platform allowed for quicker feedback and iterations, reducing their design revision time by approximately 30%. UI/UX designers can utilize Zeplin’s interactive environment to rapidly prototype and iterate designs, ensuring faster approvals and implementation.

Effective Collaboration through Zeplin Integrations

Zeplin’s ability to integrate with tools like Slack and JIRA enhances its effectiveness in Agile workflows. Shopify’s integration of Zeplin with Slack serves as a great example. This integration has facilitated faster updates and feedback within their teams, leading to improved project management and a more synchronized workflow. Such integrations demonstrate Zeplin’s versatility and its capacity to adapt to various team dynamics and project requirements. Teams should explore Zeplin’s integration capabilities to enhance real-time collaboration and project tracking, ensuring a more aligned and efficient workflow.

Overcoming Communication Challenges in Design with Zeplin

Communication is a pivotal aspect of project management, and Zeplin addresses this by providing clear and organized design specifications. IBM’s design team has utilized Zeplin to effectively manage communication among their globally distributed teams. This has led to a more streamlined and efficient design process, significantly reducing misunderstandings and delays in project timelines.

Quantifying Zeplin’s Impact on Agile Workflows

The measurable impact of Zeplin in Agile workflows is seen in the improvements in team productivity and project timelines. According to recent statistics, companies leveraging Zeplin have reported a 20-25% improvement in project turnaround times. This demonstrates Zeplin’s profound impact on enhancing efficiency and streamlining processes in Agile environments.

Galaxy Weblinks: Pioneering Agile Excellence with Zeplin

Navigating the complexities of UI/UX design, web development, and Agile methodologies requires more than just understanding; it demands the right tools and expertise. Galaxy Weblinks, with its deep-rooted experience in Agile practices and a suite of services including UI/UX and web development, is uniquely positioned to help businesses harness the full potential of tools like Zeplin. We specialize in fine-tuning Agile processes, ensuring our clients not only keep pace but lead in the competitive tech landscape. Reach out to us and transform your Agile journey into a story of success and innovation.

Older Apps Might Become Useless After Android P

Posted on by galaxy-admin
Google recently came up with a developers’ preview for Android P. The developers have now found a new class in the latest Android P Dev Preview. It sets a minimum API version apps on Play Store. So, in Android P, if an app is not meeting the minimum API requirements, the OS will pop up a warning message stating: Error message: “This app was built for an older version of Android and may not work properly. Try checking for updates, or contact the developer.” We all know how pumped up Google is in keeping PlayStore in sync with new developments. Setting up a minimum API support requirement for newly uploaded apps is a perfect move. The update now restricts the developers from having a specific mindset before building an app, enabling the newly submitted apps to work with all the latest Android versions. Hence, the already available apps that fail to update will be retired for good. The news comes after Apple did something similar recently. Apple cleaned up the App Store from old apps. And even if you try running a removed app from your iCloud backup, it will popup a warning message. We have to wait for Google’s next step towards a better user experience. No matter what Google’s intentions are, once Android P goes live, things are surely going to change! Galaxy Weblinks provides all kinds of design and development services for mobile and web apps.