Hey All,

just wanted to know of best design strategies for user layout?

Dashboard(s), tab panels, portals ( to show related information), multiple layout(s) or

single layout with multi access panels.

Ideas, other posts within forum would be great.

thanks,

The short answer would be “Yep”.

All of those elements could be part of a good interface. Take a look at the thread just below this one here in Eye Candy, where

I pioated a link to FileMaker Magazine, one of our sponsors.

http://www.filemakermagazine.com/

He also has a sponsor topic area

FM forums >> FM forums affiliate sponsors > IFileMaker Magazines

Matt has written many articles about design. His latest ones are a three part series: Operation Cleanup 1, 2, and 3.

While you're at his site, check out his tool called "Theme Studio" were he has several examples of interface design.

Lee

The problem is i think i just might do my own videos as i would like to have something that is being done

on the fly to see the "PITFALLS" one goes through when designing interfaces, but the main thing

is functionality of your interface based on what actions you want your users to take.

e.g.

If you are selling cars, how you want the user(s) to access the car information, enter details

and portals for relevant information,etc

thanks,

-i

I've got my personal design strategy. It involves one layout for Browsing and Finding with a tab control that users can't see as a tab control. It switching on ModeEntry to the Browse or Find tab. I also use one layout for List and Form view by using a subsummary part to show the detail information. I use the Status Bar and the Layout drop down for user navigation.

Why not read books by experts on User interface and design? It does not need to be ideas from FileMaker Developers; in fact, I would suggest looking to real design professionals. UI design is not new. There are many good sources - your library for starters, or Google for ideas. Here is one link (which contains Apple Human Interface Guidelines which I highly recommend).

http://www.guuui.com/posting.php?id=83

Do not discount web design resources - most of the design theory and concepts still apply. There was a great thread over on Cafe' between Comment and Harry on design. I can not find the link to it or I would post it here. I can only suggest that you turn to true design specialists. Learn from the best.

thanks

Here's a small hodgepodge of UI bookmarks if you're still interested:

http://pinboard.in/u:fitch/t:ui/

You forgot Jakob Neilsen's Alertbox: a bit of scientific method applied to ui design, and a LOT of opinion.

http://www.useit.com/alertbox/