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In what ways has user interface design changed over the years?

Gilmore Purser

Over the years, user interface design has come a long way. From the onset, things were pretty basic. In fact, it would surprise you to know that the first graphical user interface (GUI) was introduced as far back as the 1960s. It was known as the Sketchpad and was developed by Ivan Sutherland. However, it wasn't until the 1980s that GUI really took off, thanks to Xerox. Since then, UI design has continued to evolve rapidly.

One of the key things that have changed over the years is the amount of information that can be found on a UI. UI design used to be quite minimalistic, with basic buttons and a limited number of features. These days, however, an interface can be packed full of useful features, for example, an online shopping experience might have different tabs for categories, user account settings, and a search bar.

Another change that has come about is technological advancements. Earlier designs were limited by hardware and software limitations, so they were typically pretty basic. These days, UI design can be powered by advanced technologies that make user interaction more intuitive such as touchscreen technology, virtual reality or even voice activation.

Furthermore, trends and styles in UI design have developed over the years. In the past, web and graphic design had a reputation for being quite dull, with no personality of their own. This is no longer the case. UI design has grown to become a realm of creativity, with designers creating interesting and creative designs, with a variety of colours, fonts, and other eye-catching design elements.

Finally, UI today is becoming more user-centric. Currently, interfaces are designed with the user in mind, with UI designers seeking to understand the psychological processes that govern human interaction with design principles such as Gestalt, colour theory, and more.

In conclusion, when you compare today's user interface designs with those of the past, you can see a lot of progress and change. In the past, UI design was rigid and restricted, but with today's technologies, it has grown to be more creative, innovative and more user-centric. The future of UI design looks to be ever-changing, so it's exciting to look forward to what's next.