10 Rules of Dashboard Design
Below are a few important rules to consider while designing a dashboard for your audience.
1. Hierarchy
A very common mistake in designing the dashboard is presenting all information as if it is equally important. Use the size and position of content widgets to show the hierarchy of data.
- Make it clear to the viewer what’s most important by defining information levels.
- Display more important information on the top left. Move towards the bottom right direction with the information from more to less important level.
- It is also possible to divide the information into categories and display them in different views.
2. Simplicity
The real purpose of the dashboard is to present complex information in an understandable and simpler form.
- Don’t provide a lot of information that would be difficult to absorb for the user.
- Use fewer columns to display information.
- Reduce clutter by removing redundant content.
3. Consistency
A dashboard looks better when it is designed using a consistent layout.
- To make your dashboard easier to read, use similar visualizations and layouts between groups.
- Put related information closer to each other.
- Group related content visually.
4. Proximity
Displaying related information together in a dashboard will help the user to understand it quickly.
- Put related information closer to each other.
- Don’t scatter related information across the dashboard.
- Group related content visually.
5. Alignment
The elements of a dashboard need to align visually to make it a balanced look.
- Do align dashboard elements with each other to organize better.
- Try to place dashboard widgets in a Grid view.
- An unaligned view does not give a good impact to the user.
6. Whitespace
Whitespace is as necessary to design as air to breathe. It provides a breathing space to the user when he is using your design.
- Whitespace in the dashboard design appeals to the user when he comes to see the information.
- Reducing whitespace will overwhelm the user with a cluttered view.
- Use whitespace to group related information visually.
7. Colour
Use an effective colour scheme to grab the user’s attention and help them go through the information easily.
- Choose colours carefully to make the content readable.
- Use maximum contrast to display the visual elements properly over the background.
8. Fonts
Standard fonts are the best fonts to display on a dashboard unless there is a specific need to use other fonts.
- Use standard fonts as they are easier to read and scan.
- Unusual and stylish fonts may look good visually but are difficult to understand.
- Avoid All caps text as it is difficult to read and the human mind takes time to absorb it.
- Use a suitable size and style of font that communicate the information effectively.
9. Number Formats
Displaying numbers with the more than required level of precision make them difficult to read and understand.
- Round numbers where necessary as long numbers can confuse the user.
- Truncate the unnecessary information.
- Make it easier for the user to compare simple details.
10. Labels
Use labels that convey the required information to the user quickly and efficiently.
- Avoid using rotated labels as they are difficult to read for the user.
- Use standard abbreviations where possible.
Conclusion
Dashboards are intended to save time and effort, providing a simpler representation of complex and abstract data. The purpose of a dashboard is to communicate the critical information to your audience in a way they can understand. Make sure to deliver what your audience needs and then they need the information.