USER INTERFACES
Principles
MEIKO's web presence ranges from inspiring product experience pages to useful web applications such as M-iPlan. As different as the purposes of these applications may be, they are all subject to MEIKO design basics.
The supplementary user interface guides ensure brand recognition online, in-app and on the machine. They also guarantee a consistent, premium level of user experience throughout MEIKO's digital landscape.
LAYOUT
The layout of all digital applications reflects MEIKO's core values: reliability, agility, enthusiasm. Users, user behaviour and user needs are our focus here. All methods of interaction which have been incorporated should be easy to spot and easy to use.
DEMARCATIONS
Generous white space between content elements helps with quick comprehensibility and reinforces MEIKO's positioning in the premium segment.
If elements have to come close together due to a lack of space, a fine line should help establish visual separation.
HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE AND HIGHLIGHTING
Important content items are usually highlighted by their size, placement and, in the case of text blocks, by using the dominant colour, blue, for the background.
Active and important elements stand out because they contrast with the background. Inactive and less important elements signal these aspects through a lower contrast ratio to the background.
FONT AND OBJECT SIZES
Font sizes adapt to the viewport size. In the process, care is taken to a reasonable degree to ensure that the proportions of the two are maintained.
Likewise, the sizes of objects are adjusted in accordance with the aspect ratio so that, at a minimum, the viewport is able to accommodate the width of the objects.
BUTTONS AND INTERACTIONS
A clear hierarchy helps to guide the user's gaze. A large primary button draws attention to the most important action option on the page, followed by smaller buttons, text links and other options for interaction.
ANIMATIONS
All animated elements are characterised by a sober style and reinforce MEIKO's high-quality appearance. They are intended to help with usability or draw attention to special features. In general, the use of animations should be kept to a minimum in order to avoid visual overload.
UX PARADIGMS
The MEIKO brand is defined by its values and how it embodies them both inwardly and outwardly. These values also constitute our highest directive for shaping the human-machine interface. This is how we create a consistent brand experience across all systems and platforms.
Our focus is on the user. Each touchpoint between user and brand must be an experience that triggers positive emotions and maintains them for as long as possible. This starts with initial research, then the sales and after-sales processes, moving to the first time the customer switches on their new appliance.
All user interaction with MEIKO must be as simple, fast and pleasant as possible. We don't just rely on learned patterns. We are constantly looking for new ideas to improve the user experience.
CONTEXT
The people who use our media channels are very diverse. They may be potential new customers, buyers, specialist dealers, users or owners. They have very different interests, requirements and goals and belong to a wide variety of segments. In order to create a positive experience for everyone, it is important to understand the needs of each group and reflect them in the design. To do this we use automation to play out segment-oriented content according to requirements.
CONSISTENCY
We make use of a clear visual language that can be found across all channels. Content and structures are presented in a uniform way, taking into account each system's environment. This makes it easier for the user to operate our channels through learned patterns that work over and over again.
CLARITY
The language we use to communicate is as crystal clear as a glass washed by us. We formulate precisely and to the point. We concentrate on the essentials and guide the user through the channel using targeted questions.
When it comes to user inputs, we provide clearly understandable feedback and explain exactly what needs to be done to correct any input errors.
RELIABILITY
Transparency and data protection are the most important things for the user. As more and more systems become interconnected, the user must be able to rely on every component of MEIKO's digital world. That is why we allow the user to view the system status at any time. In the case of failures or system errors, we inform the user immediately and then when the system is fully up and running again.