Iterative Design Process Applied to Charting
I know I seldom do two posts in a day, but in addition to Rich's guest article, I wanted to point to a very interesting article Sander, one of our designers, wrote on the Excel blog.
The article is focused around the charting experience, but he posted some of the screenshots of the early prototypes we used to test Office 2007 UI designs in general.
These wire-frames, mockups, and paper prototypes were all used before we had written any code at all, as a way of evaluating how successful a design direction might be. Sander gives his perspective on how the iterative design process we used helped to shape the charting user experience. I think you'll find it interesting.
Keen eyes will notice many things that are similar to how they are in the product today, and many concepts which have changed.
Anyway, at some point in the not-too-distant future, I plan to post a set of prototypes for posterity (and for your enjoyment), but I thought Sander's article might help whet your whistle in the meantime.
Comments
- Anonymous
July 13, 2006
I ask me, why this prototype http://officeblogs.net/excel/BLOG270606_006.PNG looks more professional than current builds?
I love the interaction design very much, really! But dont put it in a bad graphic design, please. Why nobody at the Vista and Office teams use the designs made by the Microsoft Max Team? That little freeware got the best design of all MS products. Could this be?
Little example: the Black Theme of Office 2007 -- Its harder to read the Save Button than the inactive Undo. And Redo und Save Button got two different blue tones. Sorry to say that, but this is a very harrible grafic design like round elements in square windows demonstrate.
So, please say, this ins't final! ;-) - Anonymous
October 27, 2008
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