Please help me, I have ugly forms :0

[Benjamin Bolduc]

I was so excited when I finally finished the designing and structuring of my Forms and tables etc. But now that I look at all the wonderful work Ive done, I realize that my forms are UGLY.

If anyone has any suggestions, comments, experiences, websites etc they could share with me that could help make my database more visually aesthetic, I would very much appreciate it.

 

[David R]

Aesthetic is in the eye of the beholder.

First, does the form do what you need it to do? That is your first concern, and it sounds like you've got that addressed.

What I would do at that point is either a) play with it myself, or b) (better) get some of your users to try it out. It can be with dummy data or real data, if you're already live, but get their input. They're the ones who will be using it after all! If this is a private database, you've already done that.

If you're specifically unhappy with elements of the layout, colors, formatting, etc, test them out! Change them, change them again, see what you like better. You can select several controls to change them at once (color/font color/positioning etc) with either a Control-Click or drag a box outlining the controls. With the latter, any control that is touched will be highlighted so be careful. You have to be outside of any form control when you start in order to use the outline method, i.e. on a blank area of the Detail section.

Good luck, don't get frustrated. It sounds like you've already done the hard part, the mechanics. If you have access to a person with more artistic/graphical skill than yourself, get their input as well. Just don't get offended at their suggestions. You can always say 'nah, thanks anyway'.

 

[adz2013]

Make all of the fields the same font size and type. Align the fields so they all start at the same point. I would align the labels and the text boxes. Anything else just play around with it.

 

[jwindon]

Avoid BRIGHT colors and patterns. They make the form look "busy".

Also, upon the advice of a friend, avoid raised or sunken labels and white borders. Keep everything flat except command buttons. Locate all of your command options on one border of the form. (right, left or bottom)

I also make it a practice to use only two colors on my forms and to keep the scheme throughout related forms. You can create an autoformat based upon the look you prefer. Goto Format, Autoformat, create new based on current form.....

Hope that helps.

 

[pcs]

in addition to the good advice already given...develop a style that you use for all your forms, etc.

consider using formatting options as 'visual clues' to the actions available to the user, and make them consistent throughout your db.

for example, i use 'sunken' for only those textboxes that can be edited. if the textbox is 'flat', editing is not allowed.

if a textbox has the capability of showing additional info, like a pop-up or zoom in the on-click event, i give it a font color and underlining that resembles a web page anchor.

the main thing is to be consistent! you will soon develop a style that makes your apps very intuitive for your users.

al


[This message has been edited by pcs (edited 01-18-2002).]

 

[SteveA]

Another thing is to look at what your users are currently using and looking for common behaviour patterns between these applications. For instance, PF01 in most applications triggers online help. Making your help key PF07 would confuse users. If CTRL-P allows printing, don't block this in your application.

HTH
Steve A

 

[Benjamin Bolduc]

Thank you all for your replies, I can't tell you how helpfull they have been.