Information is the world’s new currency!
As you would expect, one of the most common ways in which we trade data is through forms. According to Clutch, 86% of users successfully interact with UI UX design forms weekly. Whether we are being asked for registration details or we are sending a text message on Facebook Messenger, we cannot dismiss our frequent interaction with forms. If website or app design were a recipe, forms would be one of its primary ingredients, and every UI UX designer should be aware of this,
And let’s be honest – who hasn’t been asked at least once to fill in a form in real life? Completing a form on a website is very similar, as you would need to either write short answers in a special field, choose from several already provided answers, or choose a date from a calendar. As simple as these UI UX design elements may be, they are instrumental in the collection of data and the overall usability of a website.
In the world of UI design, forms are elements that gather information from users. Even more so, because they collect useful data for the system, they are crucial parts of digital design. At the same time, forms manage to increase customer usability and experience and contribute to the visual aspect of a page. Due to their frequency, as UI designers and UX designers, we have to make sure that we both identify the right types of forms to choose and that we adapt them based on the context and goals we set.
If we wanted to know what type of food our users enjoy, asking them about their favorite color would be pointless. If we choose the wrong questions, not only do we put in unnecessary work, but we also risk confusing and annoying our users.
It is easy to picture a form as a system that asks the users a series of questions. These questions should benefit the UI UX designers' goals for the web design and achieve the user's goals. For a better understanding, let’s take the example of an e-commerce business. Our users would use the shipping forms to receive their orders correctly. We can both receive the payment when they fill in the billing information, but we could also gain user data and ask them to allow us to send future promotional materials.
Like any other UI UX design element, forms also consist of different components, but their complexity differs from case to case. Some simpler forms ask for basic information, spanning to ones that demand more in-depth feedback. Generally speaking, they can be comprised of the following elements, even though not all of them are mandatory:
- Labels. One of the most important elements of a form is its input labels. They are used to briefly describe what we should write in the containers for the input text. Labels must be short and easy to understand from the get-go. We should try to narrow a label down to a maximum of three words. When we write longer labels, it makes for more difficult reading comprehension, and it also is visually unpleasant.
- Containers. This element allows users to fill in written information. It usually has a rectangular shape that can be filled in with input text. It has a symbiotic relationship with labels. If the label is the instruction given to us, the input fields offer a place for us to act based on our guidance.
- Text inputs. This is basically the feedback and contribution of a user. This element purely consists of what we fill in the container. Text inputs are often mixed up with containers but are distinct elements. We should try to create containers where users can see all their input information without scrolling the field. Some text inputs will appear hidden in the form of dots, which are generally used for private information such as passwords.
- Help inputs. The most common type of helping input that we can use is placeholder text. Compared to input texts, this will only appear before filling a container. This has a similar purpose as labels, providing us with hints about what we have to write. It can also include additional information. If the label is Date of Birth, a useful placeholder text would indicate the preferred format, like MM/DD/YYYY.
- Icons. These elements are optional. We would usually implement an icon to our forms to help visitors understand a field quicker. Users can predict an input field without reading its label when we correctly assign an icon. For example, an envelope is frequently used for fields that ask for our email addresses.
- Trailing icons. While simple icons generally appear outside the containers, trailing icons are located inside. They offer us helpful options that we can choose regarding the input fields. A familiar trailing icon, the X, is used to clear input text without manually erasing all we have written in a field. This element is also optional.
- Buttons. Placed at the end of a form, they allow us to submit our answers or exit. Choosing the right word for a button is essential. Even though terms such as Submit and Cancel are familiar to most users, they can be a bit generic. A better alternative would be to describe them more specifically, such as Sign Up or Create an Account. Another strategy that has been proven to bring higher conversion rates is using the first-person voice when naming buttons.
These website design elements come in different shapes and have various purposes. Recognizing their categories can help us improve our traffic and enhance practicality.
1. Text input
They are the most popular type of component used in forms, also known as free-form text. We will usually ask for information such as the name, address, and password, as well as other data that is specific to each user. When you expect your users to fill in more text, you could use a text area instead of text input fields. These have bigger containers that allow visitors to write more words.
2. Date Selection
This field type is meant to help users select a day, a month, and a year. One of the main advantages of choosing this form is that it establishes the right separators, such as commas. This will clear up potential confusion and ensure that users follow the same pattern so data is easy to stock. The most common order for date pickers is MM/DD/YYYY.
3. Select
Also known as dropdowns, they present users with several predefined options from which they can choose. We should use this interactive list for subjects such as country of origin, sizes for different clothing items, and many more. They can usually be actioned by tapping on a down arrow.
When dealing with a list with many entries, we can implement search fields to help our users find the right choice quickly. Using a selection control eliminates the possibility of misspelling answers, which can be detrimental to the process of data gathering.
4. Radio Button
These interactive UI elements allow our users to select one choice from two or multiple options. We should mainly use radio buttons when we need to highlight options and ensure that our users read all options.
For instance, it would make no sense for the shipping section of an e-commerce website to include a multiple-choice dropdown. Instead, a radio button field clearly shows us that we can only choose one shipping method.
5. Toggle
This element acts as an on-and-off switch. We should add a toggle to our form when we want a simple answer, usually yes/no, show/hide, or on/off. Their main advantage is that they simplify otherwise time-consuming user processes, like navigating and opening different pages.
It is also very intuitive, and we should generally adopt it to manipulate the state of a single feature. Toggles are useful for situations where our users would express certain preferences. For example, we could add an on/off toggle to the Reminders entry, letting visitors choose whether to receive reminders.
6. Checkbox
The primary use of a checkbox is to tick an option On and Off. Although it is often confused with drop-downs and radio buttons, there are some standard cases in which checkboxes are preferred. The most common example is that of agreeing to terms and conditions. This element only allows us to select one option from a list of multiple.
We at uinkits understand the importance of great user experiences and creating amazing UI designs. That’s why we’ve developed a Figma UI Kit with design components that include these essential UI elements that enable you to design intuitive and user-friendly interfaces effortlessly.
“You press the button, we do the rest.” – Kodak.
Inspired by this iconic tagline from Kodak, we believe in simplifying the design process for you. Our Figma UI Kit, uinkits, is a complete design system with UI components that allows you, as a UI UX designer, to create your products as quickly as pressing a button.
Our design system includes UI components, icons, variables, cards, buttons and everything you need for your design process. All you have to do is take your UI design component needed, and you’re ready to use it in your designs!
