[Year 12 SofDev] Design of User Interface

[Mark Kelly]

Interesting. I'd still firmly put the interface design into the 
pre-production basket.  There should be nothing that happens during 
development that significant affects the interface; at least nothing 
that a skilled software creator could not have foreseen. If the 
interface is only considered during development, I'd say it is a symptom 
of lazy or poor design.

Anyway, from a personal perspective. I _always_ start any software by 
designing the interface.  It's then that I define what I need the 
software to be able to achieve. Once the interface is right, I'm ready 
to start coding whatever's needed to get that result.  Sorta like when 
doing an IPO, filling in the "O" column first and then working backwards 
to define what "I" and "P" one needs to get it.  Then again, maybe 
that's just me...

How do other people approach coding?

Anyway, I firmly insist on my kids designing interfaces in "design time" 
before production begins... with the computers firmly turned off.
The times I have not enforced this, they fiddle endlessly, having fun as 
they make things up as they go along.


Adrian Janson wrote:
> Actually on second thoughts I can see why Development is the suggested 
> answer.  It is during the development phase that the software 
> development itself takes place – and the Design phase is really about 
> selecting hardware, software and determining features of the system 
> rather than getting stuck into details such as UI’s.  The design phase 
> might determine that a software package needs to be created and have 
> certain requirements – and some designs might be created which represent 
> what the UI should ideally look like.  But it is a lot like a concept 
> sketch of a new house versus a detailed plan of what each of the rooms 
> will look like.
> 
>  
> 
> I change my vote!
> 
>  
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Adrian
> 
>  
> 
> *Adrian Janson, *
> 
> *VITTA President*
> 
> *Director of ICT, *
> 
> Melbourne High School,
> 
> Forrest Hill, South Yarra 3141 Australia.
> 
> Phone: 03 9826 0711 International: +61 3 9826 0711
> 
> Fax: 03 9826 8767 International: +61 3 9826 8767
> 
> E-mail: janson.adrian.a at edumail.vic.gov.au 
> <mailto:janson.adrian.a at edumail.vic.gov.au>
> 
> Website: http://www.mhs.vic.edu.au
> 
> Blog: http://jansona.edublogs.org <http://jansona.edublogs.org/>
> 
>  
> 
> *From:* sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au 
> [mailto:sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au] *On Behalf Of *Adrian Janson
> *Sent:* Monday, 8 September 2008 11:34 AM
> *To:* 'Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List'
> *Subject:* RE: [Year 12 SofDev] Design of User Interface
> 
>  
> 
> Hi Quentin,
> 
>  
> 
> The key word would seem to be ‘designing’ so in this respect ‘Design’ 
> would be the most correct response.
> 
>  
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Adrian
>
> *From:* sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au 
> [mailto:sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au] *On Behalf Of *Quentin Lydall
> *Sent:* Monday, 8 September 2008 11:02 AM
> *To:* Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List
> *Subject:* [Year 12 SofDev] Design of User Interface
> 
>  
> 
> Hi All,
> 
>  
> 
> Question 2 of Section B of VITTA  sample exam 3, 2007, (whew!) asks what 
> stage if the SDLC  designing the user interface takes place.  The 
> supplied answer is Development.  Can someone please help me explain to 
> my students why it does not happen during the design stage?
> 
>  
> 
> Thanks!!
> 
>  
> 
> Quentin Lydall
> 
> Head of ICT
> 
> Beaconhills College Valley Campus
> 
> 30-34 Toomuc Valley Road,
> 
> Pakenham
> 
> 3810
> 
> Phone:(03) 5945 0016
> 
> P/ Please consider the environment before printing my email/
> 


-- 
Mark Kelly
Manager - Information Systems
McKinnon Secondary College
McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204, Victoria, Australia
Direct line / Voicemail: 8520 9085
School Phone +613 8520 9000
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kel AT mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au

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