Hi,
What's the best book on designing pretty GUI for .NET applications? like Windows Vista style?
Thank you.
+4
A:
I'm not sure if you're asking how to design GUIs in general or, since you mention Windows Vista style, if you are asking about WPF.
For the former, a classic here is the book Desinging Interfaces by Jenifer Tidwell.
If it's the latter, I recommend the book Pro WPF in C# 2008: Windows Presentation Foundation with .NET 3.5, Second Edition by Matthew MacDonald.
Jason
2009-01-03 20:23:46
Yep, I mean WPF. Thank you!
2009-01-03 20:55:45
+8
A:
Don't forget to follow Microsoft's user interface conventions (even if MS doesn't).
The main site is here
And the Vista guide in pdf is here (largish download).
Dana Robinson
2009-01-03 21:30:24
+1
A:
Unlike artists who use Flash, Photoshop and the like, we developers have an absolute minimum of literature which actually showcases successful interface design. Also, since this field isn't exactly 'mainstream' for developers and the 'UI designer' is not an official employment position in most code shops, we're kind of stuck. Let me give you an example: you cannot find a book that tells you how to use something like DevExpress or Infragistics. I guess this kind of book would be pretty hard to rationalize financially (though I wouldn't mind one).
My advice is to just get lots of experience with UI libraries and try to impress people with adventurous use of 3rd party controls.
Dmitri Nesteruk
2009-01-03 21:44:44
Just don't get /too/ adventurous. 'Usability' is often at odds with 'interesting' and the former is what your customers and users will care about.
Dana Robinson
2009-01-04 08:43:10
+2
A:
I found very good also Windows Presentation Foundation Unleashed by Adam Nathan (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0672328917).
Fabrizio C.
2009-01-04 18:12:51
This is a good reference book for WPF, but it doesn't focus on design, aesthetics or usability.
dthrasher
2010-08-27 15:37:52
+1
A:
As far as Windows Forms programming goes (if you are not ready to make the jump to WPF yet), Windows Forms Programming in C# and Windows Forms Programming in VB.NET by Chris Sells lay out the basics of Windows Forms programming in .NET rather well. Of course, if you really need the aesthetic appeal, then WPF is a better route, but a steeper learning curve.
Jim Anderson
2009-01-05 19:40:01