User Interface Design for Programmers

CHAPTER16Tricks ofthe Trade

Here we are, almost at the end of the book, and I still have a whole bunch of important factoids to tell you that don't fit neatly into chapters. But they're pretty important factoids:

• Know how to use color.
• Know how to use icons.
• Know the rules of internationalization.

Let's go through these one at a time.

Know How to Use Color

When I set up my office files, I bought a big box of file folders. The box came with four different color folders: red, yellow, manila, and blue. I decided to use one color for clients, one color for employees, one color for receipts, and the fourth color for everything else. Outrageously sensible, right?

No. The truth is that when I'm not looking at the files, I can't remember the color ...