The Problem
Most information systems leave a lot to be desired. Data entry screens are too cluttered with fields and garish colors. Often fields cannot be reached without scrolling — if they can be found at all. Most grieviously, it often seems that the database was written for the programmer, not the person who has to use it day-in and day-out. In short, most information systems are not elegant, nor even utilitarian; they are unwieldy.
The Solution
Imbue Information Design addresses problem solving the way designers do — what is the most elegant solution that fits? Simple as it sounds, elegance is a hard thing to quantify. Imbue believes in addressing problems by bringing a user-centric perspective to our solutions. Using database design as an example, in many ways this philosophy can be distilled down to a few salient points:
- Scrolling to see information is bad. Tabbed interfaces are more intuitive.
- Users should never get lost as to where they are.
- Color pallet should be spare — color should be used to help information stand out appropriately — and recede appropriately.
- Users should never feel “Why do I need to enter this again?” or “Why do I need to enter this here?”
- Users should not have to reach for a manual to figure out how to make the system do what they want.
- A successful solution is when users feel the system makes their jobs easier.