Redesigning a Simple Table
I found post of Luke Wroblewski on UXmatters website where he turned this table 
Into this
I think I found even better solution to simplify this part of user interface.
I should mention though that improvements are based on some assumptions. First of them is that the table we design is a part of some interface of some kind of application. It could be web or desktop based software. And second assumption is that users work with application on some repetitive basis. That could mean they work with it at least more than once in their life and it could be as often as several times daily.
With those assumptions I think we can turn the table into this:
This way I think user will need even less time to see all the information presented in the table. Especially it will be easy for experienced frequent users. They will automatically know that first number is current day, second is current month and third one is for previous month. For new users or users in doubt once they rollover the number for which they don’t know the meaning, they will see a description.
By using interactivity we can build even more condensed informational structures.
To be right it’s not an improvement of Luke’s design it’s just a proposal for simplifying it for frequent users.
Technorati tags: Interface / Design / / Usability
Apr 19, 12:49 AM |
But I really like red and green color to mark the admissions and discharges. And your version saves a lot of space!
— balu Apr 25, 04:17 PM
The table with centered values is more redable for the first time user. But i think for an experienced user just one glance at the last table should be enough to recognize all the important data. Wich design is better for your application depends on the ways application is used.
— Andrey Apr 26, 11:26 AM
In your version, maybe line out the 10 above the 5 and the 3 so the outer right number (0,5,3) are all alligned?
Just my 2c…
— halans Sep 27, 12:46 AM