love the functionality of your app,
but it desperately need a UX overhaul....
please hire a pro.. maybe make a contest for the best mock up and have us vote!
: )
Date
Votes
72 comments
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mosey levy maybe its the black calendar items on the black calendar now that are bothering me from my non color coded clients.
or maybe its all the clashing colors from my blue and orange clients.
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Oranged Support You can turn off related coloring by clicking the Options button below the calendar. You can also change the BG color theme of the calendar itself there.
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mosey levy ahhhh much better. turned off colors.
while i think colors is a good idea, it just hurt my eyes.
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Rmoffett I would like to see spell checking in text fields.
I's also like to see a project view similar to the invoice group's view. Sortable and with filters.
A user dashboard of some sort would be cool too.
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kadso +1 for the spell checking throughout the app
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Oranged Support In the near future we will be transitioning Studiometry to a Cocoa application, which means spell-checking on Macs. Dashboards are slated for an upcoming release as well, replacing the generic "select a project" screen that fills in now.
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kadso "In the near future we will be transitioning Studiometry to a Cocoa application" = Most Excellent!!
"Dashboards are slated for an upcoming release as well, replacing the generic "select a project" screen that fills in now." = Nice, very nice.
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Adrian Lambert I work as a photographer and use photoshop (as you'd expect). Apart from some minor tweaks it looks and behaves much as it did when I first saw it in 1991ish. It's not pretty but it's not ugly either. It is a tool and a complicated one at that. Like any tool you need to learn to use it. I do have a strong desire to see good aesthetics in some software but not so much in software that I'd regard as a tool. Having said all this I'm still deciding whether to buy this software therefore trailing it and have very limited experience with it but also as such I'm keen to know that what I'm learning is relevant. I'm sure a lot of people that know the software and use it day in day out would also like to feel safe in the knowledge that the button to create a new contact is going to be in the same place it is today as it will be tomorrow. Pretty up the fonts and spacing but don't go crazy with all the eye candy that is being used simply to draw people into the apple. Focus on email integration and functionality. I've identified a few areas that I see it could be improved but a UI overhaul isn't going to make my list. I'd like to "un-me too" it. Probably a bit harsh from a trailing perspective so good thing that I can't!
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Michael Barker Adrian, I don't know what version of Photoshop you're using but the current generation of creative suite photoshop has a very different user interface than Photoshop 1.0 (http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2010/02/20-years-of-adobe-photoshop/)! Creative Suite (2008) itself was an unprecedented advancement in the integration, workflow and user interface of Adobe's products, and introduced the new standardized user interface across applications as well as the tabbed interface for running multiple apps. I agree, photoshop is a deep and complex program, which is why the continued refinement of the interface has been critical to it's success. It's also why Photoshop Elements and Adobe Lightroom enjoy success with those users who require a more limited feature set with a much better workflow for specific tasks. The right tool for the right job. It's true that we have to learn to use our tools (and continue to learn, as our 'software' tools keep changing) and I have zero interest in eye candy, but I do have a very keen interest in refined tools. Expertly honed tools save me time and put money in my pocket. I think there is alot of room for improvement in Studiometry's interface and workflow — not in the subjective realm of aesthetic taste, but in it's quantifiable ease of use (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphical_user_interface_testing). Here's a little reading on the principles of interaction design from the (Jakob) Nielsen/ (Donald) Norman Group, by "Leading Authority on Software Design" (Hotwired) Bruce Tognazzini: http://www.asktog.com/basics/firstPrinciples.html
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kadso "I have zero interest in eye candy, but I do have a very keen interest in refined tools. Expertly honed tools save me time and put money in my pocket. I think there is alot of room for improvement in Studiometry's interface and workflow — not in the subjective realm of aesthetic taste, but in it's quantifiable ease of use "
Michael: Well stated. I concur.
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Adrian Lambert "Expertly honed tools save me time and put money in my pocket. I think there is alot of room for improvement in Studiometry's interface and workflow — not in the subjective realm of aesthetic taste, but in it's quantifiable ease of use "
Thanks Michael, I wholeheartedly support this comment and as I mentioned my experience with Studiometry is limited at this early stage therefore a caveat to my opinion. I have experienced UI changes where the developer panders to the whims of users that, for example want a more "mac like" experience to the detriment of the usability of the software. Hard to know what processes where undertaken to get the the end result, but I suspect "experts" where employed in these situations. I don't think that this software is a candidate for eye candy so I'm glad we agree there too. I suppose it depends which experts you listen too as to the effectiveness of the changes.
I do recognise that Adobe has undertaken UI improvements but the changes havn't really altered the way that you operate in PS all that much, all the menu items are roughly where they have been with a few minor exceptions and there may be more than one way to achieve a certain procedure these days, but generally its been a bit of an onion thing with the core remaining the same and new things wrapped around that core, therefore I maintain that it's much the same as it's always been. I've used it day in day out for 15 years now on a mac.
One of my only stand out UI experiences; again I have somewhat limited experience these days, is that of Ableton Live, an audio workstation designed for live music production and performance. It's a go to as an example of turning incredible complexity into something so simple and intuitive to learn and use (probably to aid pilled up and pissed sound engineers working in the dark of a performance venue). I was up and running on this software in a day. I haven't used it for a few years now but the UI appears much the same as I remember. It's not "mac like" in the faintest and not what I'd want to use for penning emails but for complex tasks such as it's designed for it's perfectly appropriate. I guess this is a bit of an aside, and I'm not suggesting that Oranged use this for inspiration in the slightest, but I would like to say that truly great UI experiences are hard to come by, so take care Oranged people not to make life difficult for your users in the quest to satisfy a few folks that would rather look at something a bit more "mac like" (not this responder by any chalk). It not so much "if it works, don't fix it" but rather spend some money wisely and think long and hard about how it could work better then test it well with people who's opinions you can count on.
Having said all this I'm probably going to duck out of this one as I reckon I probably shot my mouth off without knowing the software well enough and can't really apply these thoughts to Studiometry appropriately, my comments in all honesty are very general about UIs. The long term users are much better qualified to opine.
Thanks for your response Michael and for the reading. I've only scanned through for now as I'm in the process of packing my house to move overseas... a bit time consuming I'm surprised to find ;) I'll dig in down the track though. Looks like a good read.
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Gavin JG Lawrie Just another 2 cent's worth of ideas:
- Have a go at improving the generic mechanisms used to display 'forms' within Studiometry. Currently the default layout is all sharp edges and forms have the air of being forms originally designed for something like Foxbase which were migrated into VBA for Windows 3.1 and left largely untouched since. This is partly the layout of specific forms, but also linked to the kinds of widgets used to do things - things like the date picker and associated icon etc.
- Have a really good look at the 'home' screen and try and get away from the 'grid of boxes with stuff in' design metaphor. Perhaps starting with trying to find a better way to navigate within projects than the 'sub menu' - where some simple nesting might remove some of the flat file complexity there currently. For example - how about accessing "Project info, settings, specs and notes" all from (or on) the same page?
I realise that getting Studiometry's UI into any kind of modern shape would require a) the intervention of someone capable in that area, and b) quite a lot of work. I also realise that other apps of this type are not necessarily better - Daylite is equally hard on the eyes I think - but a good UI would doubtless not only make life better for those using the app, but also make it easier to sell to new users.I'm not hopeful however - the iOS apps presumably offered Oranged the chance to reimagine the UI (since there was no prior code), and the result was something that looked both ugly and alien to most iOS design conventions… -
RobbiNewmanLight&Vision I also agree with the issue of UI change and its IMPORTANCE. Function is always the primary consideration and Studio has made incredible progress since I purchased the first version of Studio back whenever.
Converting to Cocoa for macs may fix a lot of my comments regarding the UI as this removes the ' stiff ' constraints of Basic.
If you want to see first class UI then visit Contactizer Pro by Objective Decision...they are masters of slick, but alas they have the way with the software.
Go for it Orange team!
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kadso Robbie,
See if the following hits spot about what you like about Contactizer Pro.
- The link anything to anything capability and to be able to see those links regardless of which module you are in. That is to say the ability to link any item (contact, task, event, communication (notes, emails, chat, facebook, whatever), files, invitations, maps, whatever) to any other item (contact, task, event, communication (notes, emails, chat, facebook, whatever), files, invitations, maps, whatever).
- The way the layout show the user in one screen the multiple links to the items listed in #1 above. For example in the calendar module, the way the tasks would show up in the bottom right hand corner and be sortable to (all, uncompleted, in process, completed, etc.) Much like Studio is doing with notifications today. For a second example, the way in contact module you can raise from the bottom the sub-module that holds that contact’s sortable/filterable tasks, events, communications, attachments, maps, whatever. Much like Studio is doing today with a client’s or project’s items (project info, settings, files, specs, notes, planning, work items, reports, people, summary, etc.)
- The flexibility way the app allows the user to set their own filters, and module views. Much like Studio is doing today. For example in the project module.
And just to toss in a bit more, I understand that Postgre provides the underlying database app techie stuff to make this all happen. Not that I’m suggesting anything or nothing….
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RobbiNewmanLight&Vision tnx..:)
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Darren Roberts I've been following this thread with great interest as I've been wavering over whether to make the jump to Studiometry for a few years now. But each time I try the next version demo (and i've tried 7,8 and 9) my heart sinks when I see that the GUI is still stuck in 1990s PC world.
Don't get me wrong, it's a great piece of software and does all the things I need it to do but it just looks so messy and cluttered. In my profession as a graphic designer I appreciate aesthetics probably more than some so it does put me off using it on a daily basis.
1. In my opinion the interface needs a complete overhaul, in fact probably start from scratch. It's 2012 and time to move on from RealBasic, this would make a huge difference to the look and feel. At the moment it just doesn't feel like a modern piece of mac software.
2. For starters I would reduce the number of tabs and amalgamate some of them into the same window. For example 'Project Info' is a huge window for a small panel, why not incorporate the 'Notes', 'Settings' or 'Specs' info within the same window.
3. There are too many design styles without any consistency, we have round and square corner boxes, curled page with drop shadow, windows with white backgrounds some with dark grey. Simplify and introduce some uniformity.
4. Icons - some are okay but others are ugly. The Studiometry app icon is actually very good so whoever designed that should redesign all your in app icons.
I realise that it's a very complex programme that has to handle a lot of data but it could be presented in a much better way. I would love to see Studiometry 10 with a completely new interface that really takes it to the next level. For design studios there is very little out there in the same price bracket and if the developers can just nail the look then I 'm pretty sure they would see an increase in sales. Feature set is important but equally so is how an app looks and functions and currently Studiometry is not as intuitive as it could be.
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Emery Wells I've also been following Studiometry for years, waiting for the right time to jump in. Desperately wanting to get out of my current business management software. While I've primarily been waiting due to lack of features that are critical to running my business, the interface also leaves a lot to be desired. The move to Cocoa will be a huge step in the right direction but that in and of itself will not necessarily improve things. My primary complaint with the interface is that it heavily relies on boxes within boxes. For example, every time I want to add a work item I have this big clunky box that opens. Id like to see a few changes:
1. Inline editing. If I've already added a work item, I should be able to type right into the data fields in that line item.
2. To ass a new work item, I should just be able to start typing in the next blank data cell.
3. Instead of a pop-up, Id like to see the work item inspector integrated into a side bar.
4. It would also be nice to have a HUD (one of those dark floating windows) with a list of saved work items (is this what Studioemtry does with blueprints?) where I could easily drag and drop work items from the HUD into the work item area.
The whole window within a window is the main navigational challenge of Studiometry that I feel needs an overhaul. It also tends to feel crammed and the data is not easily parsed.
Really hoping Studiometry 10 will be the app my business can switch to!
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Emery Wells As I play around with Studioemtry, another quick example of the box within a box... In the invoices it would be nice to have a horizontal split view (like email) where you can see the list of invoices on the top and a detail view on the bottom. Just about putting the information where you need it so it so you can get to it quickly and spend more time in your day focusing on actually making money.
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Darren Roberts So with version 10 around the corner can we expect an GUI overhaul??? Also will 10 be making the jump to cocoa?
I do love the features of this app, it's unrivalled, but the more I try and use it the more ugly I realise it is. One particular example of bad design is the calendar page:
1. The gridlines should be grey (as iCal), solid black is too heavy on the eye.
2. The buttons across the bottom (Today/Week/Month etc) are too big and squashed into the bar with no space top and bottom. This just looks clumsy.
3. Why use a grey vignette to highlight today, a simple blue tint works much better. Sometimes less is more, just take a look at any Apple apps to see how they do it.
To me the app looks like it's been designed by a programmer and not a designer. Here's hoping for a better looking Studiometry in the future!
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Tjerja Geerts Good suggestions from all readers above. The one thing that bothers me, is that the development team is stuck with old code (real basic/cocoa). Why don't you shift your strategic options to the cloud? And be device independant like 'wunderlist', 'things', 'evernote' etc.? If you create a front-end web-based interface that's flexible/responsive in all media devices, you won't have to suffer the UX limitations of realbasic anymore.
+1 for all apps/services that understand the importance of a sexy user experience. You can technically build the best app there is, but if don't invest in good usability and visual design; users like me and mosy go look somewhere else. It's all part of the daily experience :)) Good luck with the development!
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Oranged Support Thanks to everyone for the feedback here. We're listening and we're looking forward to exciting changes with Studiometry. Studiometry 10 is coming out this week with over 150 new features and improvements, and though many some of the improvements are interface related, it will not have a complete interface overhaul. The good news though is that we are beginning work soon on an interface overhaul for Studiometry that will also include a transition to Cocoa for the Mac version. We just wanted to keep everyone updated with the status, and be transparent in the status and direction of our products. Thank you again!
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RobbiNewmanLight&Vision How is the OSX version transition coming along?
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Oscar Hello,
News abou the cocoa transition or new Studiometry next major version?
Thanks
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RobbiNewmanLight&Vision ditto...I am using a battered old version 7 because I couldn't be bothered until the UI changes...call me fussy if you like :)
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Oscar Right! Compared to Billings, Studiometry seems outdated application although it has a great functionality.
Hopefully soon we will have news about the next update. It took four months without news when we usually have minor updates every month or two.
A roadmap on the web about the next versions would not be bad.
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RobbiNewmanLight&Vision So when is a OSX cocoa beta version available?...anyone...hullo....:)
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Gavin JG Lawrie Hi Robbie.
Good luck with getting anyone from Oranged to comment. On this thread they've posted in March, July and December 2011, and then September 2012. After an initial response in same month, we've had gaps of 3, 6, and then 9 months between Oranged postings. So on my reckoning we're due for another one in September 2013… :-) One of the Oranged postings so far has been functional (about options control in current app). One has been a request for suggestions (plenty have been provided…) and rest are just placeholders (e.g. December 2011 - "Cocoa version is coming…", September 2012 - "150 new features in v10… but no UI improvements").
If anyone from Oranged actually reads the postings in this forum, it is not clear that they have any influence upon what gets developed. A reasonable supposition based on changes to the app over last two+ years is that this thread at least has had no impact on anything: a good working assumption appears to be that indeed no one from Oranged is listening. Seems foolish (or optimistic) to think it will change.
If I have a concern it is that Oranged will go the same way as "Now Software" - they had an OK product (Now Up-to-date) that they tried (starting in 2007) to re-write the app from ground up using Cocoa / real compliers etc. (via the "Nighthawk" project) and ultimately failed - bankrupting the company in 2010 in the process. (http://www.macworld.com/article/1147271/nowsoftware.html)
Let's hope that Oranged doesn't go the same way.
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RobbiNewmanLight&Vision Wow...interesting stats. In private emails to Studio I have always had a great response...perhaps I will try that and re post the response. maybe the forum is run by someone else?
You should try being a fan of Contactizer Pro for OSX....nothing comes near this software group for abandoning ship. Seemed to be a case of a few diverse software code writing nationals brawling over a product plus a brilliant and arrogant Frenchman...great mix. It was simply the most outstanding UI you could wish for. However it has gone super bad with the product still for sale but all support and response totally gone. Customers are calling for fraud charges...(any class action lawyers out there)? Anyhow have a look at Contactizer for absolutely stunning UI
http://objective-decision.com/en/products/contactizerpro/
Seems its tough out there selling business software for OSX?......Apple should spend some of its billions on better business software solutions for OSX perhaps.
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Oranged Support Thanks for the feedback, guys. This forum is part of our support site and is all tied in with the support tickets and our requests database and all run by us here at Oranged. We have responded several times to this post, but really there's not much new we can say as a response to people wanting a prettier product.
We are working on transitioning to Cocoa and on making the program look cleaner/sleeker and a big revamp in UI is coming in an upcoming version. We have done incremental UI updates throughout the program in many ways for certain areas, but it's a large app and an entire redesign takes a bit of time. We hope that our upcoming Cocoa update will appease the people wanting a fresh look in Studiometry on this thread, and we'll have more info on that soon.
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Michael Barker I gave up on contributing to this thread around the time I decided not to follow Studiometry's upgrade path because of their lack of responsiveness to this issue. I still receive notifications about contributions to this thread, and I usually read them, roll my eyes, and carry on. But Oranged's answer (previous post) to the recent posts has annoyed me into commenting for the first time in over a year. Oranged, how could you read this thread and think that what we are asking for is a "prettier" product or a "Fresh Look"? This is why I have zero confidence in you taking this thread seriously. I don't have anything to add, so I will quote an earlier comment I made (above):
"I have zero interest in eye candy, but I do have a very keen interest in refined tools. Expertly honed tools save me time and put money in my pocket. I think there is alot of room for improvement in Studiometry's interface and workflow — not in the subjective realm of aesthetic taste, but in it's quantifiable ease of use "
That's it in a nutshell.
Thanks,Michael
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