UI Imagery

UI imagery means the use of photography, illustration, infographics, icons, and other visual material inside an interface.

Images in UI should not be chosen only because they look good. They should support meaning, usability, brand tone, or user engagement.

Roles

RoleUse
attentionmake important content noticeable
explanationmake complex concepts easier to understand
target recognitionhelp users recognize themselves or their context
emotionmake the experience more engaging
brand valuecommunicate tone and positioning
differentiationavoid looking generic

Questions Before Using An Image

  • What job does this image do?
  • Does it help the user understand something?
  • Does it match the target?
  • Does it match the brand values?
  • Will it work responsively?
  • Will text remain readable over it?
  • Is it accessible, or does it need alt text?