Quick Access to Content via Two-Panel Selectors
In the ever-evolving world of web and application design, one pattern that stands out for its efficiency and user-friendliness is the two-panel selector design. This design approach, which positions two panels side by side or in a top-and-tail manner, allows users to navigate through content with ease and speed.
The two-panel selector design pattern, as detailed in Jenifer Tidwell's book "Designing Interfaces: Patterns for Effective Interaction Design" and Martijn van Welie's Pattern Library, is a powerful tool for designers. It enables users to switch their attention from the contents of one item to other potential selections without having to carry out any intermediate steps or interactions.
This design pattern is commonly found in mailer user agents (MUAs) and file management programs. For instance, the Macbook Finder Application takes this design pattern to the next level, allowing a seemingly unlimited number of panels next to each other. However, this design choice results in the need for a horizontal scroll bar.
One key benefit of the two-panel selector is that it helps users skip through content at speed, keep an overview, and dive into details simultaneously. This improves efficiency and reduces cognitive load. To make the interactive and viewing experience as cohesive as possible, place the contents of an item immediately in the second panel following interaction with the corresponding item in the first panel list.
When implementing the two-panel selector design pattern, it's essential to consider conventions as they apply to similar applications or websites. For instance, when designing for users from western countries, place the list in the design either above or to the left of the panel in which the selected item contents are displayed.
The example from Wunderlist distinguishes the selected option in the first panel by using a different color background for the selected option. The selected option in the first panel must be distinguished from the rest to provide users with a means of instantly determining which item contents they are currently viewing.
Key strategies for implementing the two-panel selector design pattern include using a clear and organized layout, interactive components, responsiveness, consistency in controls and feedback, and precise CSS selectors for styling and maintainability.
By following these principles, designers can create interfaces that enhance user efficiency by allowing quick, flexible selections alongside immediate visualization or feedback, reducing cognitive load and making complex data or options manageable in a compact and responsive interface.
In conclusion, the two-panel selector design pattern is a valuable asset in the designer's toolkit, offering a streamlined and efficient user experience. As Carl Sagan once said, "The universe is not required to be in perfect harmony with human ambition," but with the two-panel selector, we can certainly make our digital interfaces more harmonious with user needs and expectations.
[Image source: Pixabay, under the CC0 license]
The two-panel selector design pattern, as outlined in Designing Interfaces: Patterns for Effective Interaction Design and Martijn van Welie's Pattern Library, is a powerful tool for UI and UX designers, promoting user efficiency and reducing cognitive load. Designers should consider conventions when implementing this design pattern, such as placing the list above or to the left of the panel for users from western countries. To improve the user experience, designers can incorporate clear and organized layouts, interactive components, responsiveness, consistency in controls and feedback, and precise CSS selectors for styling and maintainability. By adhering to these principles, digital interfaces can offer a harmonious user experience, aligning with user needs and expectations in the same vein as Carl Sagan's observation that the universe may not be in perfect harmony with human ambition, but we can certainly strive to make our digital interfaces more harmonious with user needs.
