Simplified User-Interface (SUI) graphics visually simplify unimportant details in UI Screenshots. This is done to not overwhelm users with too much irrelevant information. SUI graphics follow the K.I.S.S. principle: „Keep it simple, Stupid!“
Example:
How to use a SUI graphic in Documentation:
Advantages
- Better focus
- Easier information digest for the brain
- Less maintenance work when details of the UI change, e.g. labels and icons
- Independent from software language settings
- modern look and feel (less markers in the screenshots)
- (SUIs can be used in video content - at least with Snagit)
Caution
Be mindful of when to use SUI graphics. They are not meant to explain complex actions or movements.
How to Create SUI Graphics
- Make a screenshot of a UI
- Open the screenshot in an image editing software
- Remove all non-relevant menus, buttons and tool-tips to reduce complexity
- Replace texts and UI graphics with simple geometrical elements
- Save the SUI graphic
→ Make a screenshot for the documentation, use the SUI graphic as an overlay and cut out the part of the SUI graphic that is relevant for the documentation
Tip
Snagit offers a Simplify option to automatically create SUI graphics from UI screenshots