Building Windows Forms Applications - Beginning C# 2008 Databases: From Novice to Professional - page 322

The use of a tab order (the order by which users can cycle through controls on a form by
pressing the Tab key) allows users to rapidly navigate fields.
Trying to reproduce a real-world object is a common mistake when designing user
interfaces. For instance, if you want to create a form that takes the place of a paper form,
it is natural to attempt to reproduce the paper form in the application. This approach
might be appropriate for some applications, but for others, it might limit the application
and provide no real user benefit, because reproducing a paper form can limit the func-
tionality of your application. When designing an application, think about your unique
situation and try to use the computer's capabilities to enhance the user experience for
your target audience.
Default values are another way to simplify your user interface. For example, if you
expect 90 percent of the users of an application to select Washington in a State field,
make Washington the default choice for that field.
Information from your target audience is paramount when designing a user inter-
face. The best information to use when designing a user interface is input from the
target audience. Tailor your interface to make frequent tasks easy to perform.
Position of Controls
The location of controls on your user interface should reflect their relative importance
and frequency of use. For example, if you have a form that is used to input both required
information and optional information, the controls for the required information are
more important and should receive greater prominence. In Western cultures, user inter-
faces are typically designed to be read left-to-right and top-to-bottom. The most impor-
tant or frequently used controls are most easily accessed at the top of a form. Controls
that will be used after a user completes an action on a form, such as a Submit button,
should follow the logical flow of information and be placed at the bottom of the form.
It is also necessary to consider the relatedness of information. Related information
should be displayed in controls that are grouped together. For example, if you have a
form that displays information about a customer, a purchase order, or an employee, you
can group each set of controls on a Tab control that allows a user to easily move back and
forth between displays.
Aesthetics is also an important consideration in the placement of controls. You
should try to avoid forms that display more information than can be understood at a
glance. Whenever possible, controls should be adequately spaced to create visual appeal
and ease of accessibility.
Consistency
Your user interface should exhibit a consistent design across each form in your applica-
tion. An inconsistent design can make your application seem disorganized or chaotic,