Jessica Enders - Designing UX: Forms: Create Forms That Don’t Drive Your Users Crazy

Have you ever had a debate with your team about whether a form label should go above, inside or to the left of its field? Or whether or not to disable a button until all the required fields are filled out? Maybe a stakeholder wants to include a dumb question, and you need to help them see the light.

This book is here to help. Youll find the answers to all of the above and much more, as we look at the factors behind great form experience. Its an easy read from cover to cover, but the book is also divided into sections with clear headings that make it simple to jump to specific information.

We will concentrate on designing mobile-friendly, accessible web forms, but the focus on underlying principles means plenty is applicable to other types of formssuch as mobile and desktop apps, kiosks and even paper forms. Youll learn best practice for visual design, how to write effective questions, and what makes for a smooth flow, with some tips about managing form design projects as a bonus. So join me as we refashion forms from frustrating to fabulous.

This book is for designers, developers, aspiring UX professionals, and anyone with an interest in building forms that work beautifully.

Look out for the following items.

• https://www.sitepoint.com/community/ are SitePoints forums, for help on any tricky web problems.
• books@sitepoint.com is our email address, should you need to contact us to report a problem, or for any other reason.

I hate telling people what I do.

Usually, the response is one of confusion: blank looks and pregnant pauses. I go on to explain, You know, like when you have to register your car or be admitted to hospital: I design the form you fill out, so its less painful. Some understanding is restored using these everyday examples. Yet people are still surprised to learn that someone actually designs these forms (a depressingly apt reflection on the quality of most).

Surprising as it may be, I love what I do. As it draws on so many different subject areas, designing forms is one of the most interesting professions you can have. Its kinda like getting paid to solve rewarding puzzles that make other peoples lives easier.

And boy are there a lot of puzzles out there that need solving. After all, when was the last time you heard someone gush with delight about a wonderful form they just filled out? Instead, every day, forms make people want to pull their hair out in frustration. And every day, organizations waste millions of dollars collecting information poorly.

But despite the huge need, and the fascinating, diverse work, form design isnt a recognized discipline. If you tell people youre an accountant, or a landscaper, or even a web developer, they have an inkling of what you do. Form design, on the other hand, is a niche within the niche of user experience.

It shouldnt be this way. The world needs more people who understand what makes one form easier to fill out than another. For some of you, reading this book will light a spark that sets you on the path to becoming a specialist form designer. For most of you, however, itll mean youre a bit more prepared to design the form thats part of a bigger web project. And while you may not be boisterously celebrated for the functional and aesthetic form you produce, know that youve made a real, tangible difference both to the people filling it out, and to your organization. Besides, at the end of the day, nothing happens without a form.

Youd be hard pressed to find professions that ruminate about definitions more than User Experience and Design. But Im rather inclined to go against the grain, and this is meant to be a