:: Tips & Tricks ::

8 Steps to a Better Swing UI

• Choose a look&feel that uses appropriate fonts and colors.
• Choose an appropriate icon set.
• Remove clutter.
• Align, group, relate and balance.
• Learn to work with negative space.
• Take care of aspect ratios.
• Be consistent.
• Comply with style guides.

Don'ts

• Don't change colors.
• Don't change fonts.
• Don't break the icon design.

Do's

• Remove clutter.
• Use TitledBorders carefully.
• Add negative space.
• Align.
• Be consistent.
• Balance the design.
• Use contrast effectively.
• Use aesthetic aspect ratios.

Tips

• Benefit from the powerful JFC: Java2D, translucency, etc.
• Carefully add color, advanced typography, images, animation.
• Enable problem analysis.
• Know critical performance issues.
• Take care of the application startup.
• Construct lazily ... and prepare eagerly!
• Check your UI via ClearLook.