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TIL frustratingly hiding basic information within a menu, within a menu, within a menu, within a menu that's within a menu is called "progressive disclosure" (t

TIL frustratingly hiding basic information within a menu, within a menu, within a menu, within a menu that's within a menu is called "progressive disclosure" (top marks for that amazing euphemism). I really wish it were possible to calculate the total destruction of human productivity caused by whitespace and "progressive disclosure".

User23 2y ago
Yes, the optic system, including the speed of the optic nerve and the eyes ability to saccade, among other things, has a functionally unlimited ability to keep the brain aware of activity in the visual field (modulo optical illusions). The short term memory on the other hand is extremely limited. As always, design should be based on fundamental principles of human biology.
nraynaud 2y ago
It's also a way for newcommers to discover what an app can do, people know that opening menus has absolutely no risk, while clicking a button might open a modal or actually do something. So generally you want 3 levels: menus, buttons in the UI, and shortcuts.
- jwells89 2y ago
  Yes, I liken a proper menubar to the index of a book. You should be able to find just about every function a program has in its menus. It also serves as a key shortcut cheat sheet which is important for cultivating a fervent base of power users for your app. Maintaining a knowledge base article of shortcuts is probably good enough for existing power users, but it won’t grow that group nearly as well as menus can.
jwells89 2y ago
Progressive disclosure is an important principle in designing good UIs, but as you’re pointing out it’s often misused or used to excuse cuts and burying things for the sake of aesthetics. When applied correctly, all the term really means is thoughtful, research based surfacing of features, taking into account target audiences and the way features relate to each other. It’s why you don’t just dump all your features into the main window of your program, turning it into a Great Wall of Buttons. Thoughtfulness is increasingly uncommon though, UI design has more and more been treated as generic visual design instead.

User23 2y ago

Yes, the optic system, including the speed of the optic nerve and the eyes ability to saccade, among other things, has a functionally unlimited ability to keep the brain aware of activity in the visual field (modulo optical illusions). The short term memory on the other hand is extremely limited. As always, design should be based on fundamental principles of human biology.

nraynaud 2y ago

It's also a way for newcommers to discover what an app can do, people know that opening menus has absolutely no risk, while clicking a button might open a modal or actually do something. So generally you want 3 levels: menus, buttons in the UI, and shortcuts.

jwells89 2y ago
Yes, I liken a proper menubar to the index of a book. You should be able to find just about every function a program has in its menus. It also serves as a key shortcut cheat sheet which is important for cultivating a fervent base of power users for your app. Maintaining a knowledge base article of shortcuts is probably good enough for existing power users, but it won’t grow that group nearly as well as menus can.

jwells89 2y ago

Progressive disclosure is an important principle in designing good UIs, but as you’re pointing out it’s often misused or used to excuse cuts and burying things for the sake of aesthetics. When applied correctly, all the term really means is thoughtful, research based surfacing of features, taking into account target audiences and the way features relate to each other. It’s why you don’t just dump all your features into the main window of your program, turning it into a Great Wall of Buttons. Thoughtfulness is increasingly uncommon though, UI design has more and more been treated as generic visual design instead.