Performance versus Beauty

I believe programming is an art. Just like an artisan creates an artifact, when I program I develop… and item. Although intangible (most of the time), it normally has a visual form (the application’s HMI, or Human-Machine Interface). This visual aspect should be coherent with the rest of the product, admirable, intriguing, exquisite.

Designing a good User Interface is an art in itself, one that should “connect” with the intangible part of the “machine”. When they blend, they can really amaze, entertain, inform, in a simple, natural (yet powerful) way.

My home automation is badly needing love in this area. The intangible part is coming along very well, but I really need to dedicate myself to the User Interface. I’ve made sure it is functionally quick to respond and simple to extend, but I’ve delayed the visual design a bit too much. I think I’m in a point where functionality is at a very interesting level, and as soon as I finish the element I’m working on (the air admission system, including an earth-air heat exchanger) I’ll shift to design.

I’m aiming at simplicity and usability, something not trivial to achieve when your system crosses a certain sofistication threshold.


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