Functionality AND good taste?

[Richard Gaskin]

David Glasgow wrote:

 > I am being encouraged by customers to update and improve a Rev built
 > product I produced many years ago.  I have a wish list for
 > functionality changes, but I am slightly depressed at how ugly and
 > old the original looks.  I have decided to start again from scratch,
 > so there are no limitations on what I can do, other than those
 > imposed by Rev and my abilities (mostly the latter).
 >
 > I have no background in design, but would like to make the product
 > look better and up to date.  I know I can pretty much change the
 > appearance of anything in Rev, but this is a serious product for
 > technical use, so I am not thinking oval windows and faux glass
 > skins.   I also strongly subscribe to the view that less is more,
 > so I don't want reflections and things swooshing about.  Are there
 > any books or online resources on making software look simple and good?

When in doubt, get inspiration from the Human Interface Guidelines:


OS X:
<http://developer.apple.com/mac/library/documentation/UserExperience/Conceptual/AppleHIGuidelines/XHIGIntro/XHIGIntro.html>

Windows:
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=e49820cb-954d-45ae-9cb3-1b9e8ea7fe8c>

Gnome (Linux):
<http://library.gnome.org/devel/hig-book/stable/>


Following those guidelines will at least make your app look more like 
the rest of the user experience on those platforms.

Moreoever, each of them spends some time discussing the underlying 
principles behind the specs, which can be very helpful in adapting them 
to your specific app in ways that work reasonably well with them.

--
  Richard Gaskin
  Fourth World
  Rev training and consulting: http://www.fourthworld.com
  Webzine for Rev developers: http://www.revjournal.com
  revJournal blog: http://revjournal.com/blog.irv