Characteristics of a good UI designer

Question

What are the characteristics of a good UI designer? How much does one have to have graphical design abilities these days as opposed to interaction design abilities. I see this of growing importance with the advent of WPF and Silverlight.

I personally consider myself good at interaction design, but would like to strengthen my skills in the graphical design area. Is it even possible to learn these skills or are you born with them? Can anybody recommend any good books or resources that would help?

Thanks,

Craig

Answer 1

Try the Non-designer's design book.

In my experience, interface design is a skill all in itself. Graphic designers are good at making wonderfully beautiful but completely confusing and unusable interfaces.

I have a few tricks I use but they mostly involve stealing design elements from well designed apps and websites.

Answer 2

In my experience, the hallmark of a good UI designer isn't necessarily a snazzy, do-it-all, isn't-that-cool solution, but generally one that's almost invisible because it just works with very little help from the user:

• Controls and information are laid out logically, intuitively, and consistently.
• The ease of accessing a feature is proportional to its frequency of use.
• The user finds it almost impossible not to use the product correctly.
• It breaks the "rules" when doing so increases its usability.
• It's attractive in a "girl (or guy) next door" sort of way. Pleasant to look at, but not distracting.