Characteristics of Good Form Design
- Simplicity – The design should be clean and straightforward, not cluttered
- Ease of use – Users should be able to understand how to fill out the form quickly
- Intuitive layout – Related fields should be grouped together, and the sequence of fields should follow a logical order
- Clear labels – Each field should have a clear, concise label indicating what information is expected
- Appropriate controls – Use controls like radio buttons, checkboxes, and drop-down menus where appropriate
Creating a Data Entry Form
- You need to specify the fields required for data input
- Choose the appropriate font styles and sizes. Aim for consistency and readability
- Keep adequate spacing between fields for clarity and ease of use
Fine-Tuning Form Design
Appropriate Spacing
- The spacing between individual characters in fields should be adjusted for readability
- The use of white space is crucial – it improves readability and reduces cognitive load
Control Elements
- Radio Buttons – Used when there is a list of two or more options that are mutually exclusive
- Check Boxes – Used when the user can select multiple options from a list
- Drop Down Menus – Used when you want to provide many options but conserve space
