Interface Design and UX Thread - How our App Looks

[angelize]

I've played around with Rik's basic design with different colours. I came up with a set of harmonious colours using red, a soft warm grey and some darker greys. I also used black and white text in some areas.

[pauland]

Personally, as an observer, I really dislike the red.

Red is really bold and associated with danger, so on something that can do no harm, the idea of using red to highlight options can have a subconscious message - do this with care/don't do this.

[angelize]

Here are some different colour options.

[pauland]

It's quite disappointing to see how little feedback you guys are getting. I won't be using Xart (my Xara software is OLD), but still it's fun to watch the progress.

Your colour pallettes are too bold for my liking Frances and the beige background isn't my favourite. Sorry.

The bar on the slider shouldn't be colour-coded, in my opinion.

I was quite impressed by the original cog - it reminded me of a menu interface that I made in Flash many years ago. I remember the Kai Krause interfaces of old. The real question for me is whether it's wise to make the interface very different from the main software.

In that vein Riks offering in the style of the main app, is where I would see this.

Have fun with your new toy, but surely more people can voice an opinion?

[wizard509]

I dunno, personally I like the green and the dark red one. They all seem strong to me. The Xart logo looks especially good. the two parts read as an X yet are separate. I do not get a feeling of that being a check box though but that simple point may not be important.

[gracehjs]

Actually, as we will be warnig people that fiddling with the registry can have unforeseen consequences, it seems appropriate.
QUOTE=pauland;477466]Personally, as an observer, I really dislike the red.

Red is really bold and associated with danger, so on something that can do no harm, the idea of using red to highlight options can have a subconscious message - do this with care/don't do this.[/QUOTE]

[gracehjs]

Yes, keep the ideas coming. Eric is going to start making mockups for you to see.

[gracehjs]

Also, we have decided to use WPF Windows Presentation Foundation ), which will give us the ability to implement a rich interface. This means that it will not work on Windows XP. I trust this is OK with everyone? If it isnt then we will have to go with a vanilla interface.

[pauland]

After all these years, perhaps it's time to let XP go. After all there is an existing registry editor out there, isn't there?

Seems a pity to stifle a program because a few people haven't moved with the times, especially since there are legacy registry editors in existence.

[angelize]

I don't think that you can come up with a colour combination that is going to please everyone, for instance I don't like Rik's dark combo with the flouresent green. I also think that a harmonious colour scheme is the way to go.