Last week, we presented a one-day tutorial based on the topics in our book Visual Usability: Principles and Practices for Designing Digital Applications at the User Experience Professionals Association conference in Washington, DC. We had a great time taking those ideas live with a dedicated group of participants who ripped paper, analyzed requirements, brainstormed design personas, and redesigned a sample application in a full, fun day.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJLI_wCJ0c4_vHhmOLqHn5XcIy5fjA1WDb401gcDcNDLBt_o4oj9zhkgEZj5l0MXZEEvO7kbZT3RlguEXp8HN-FaNh342nCTFj6OcgAcE0pHAK1sNrNtrSO8Iqv3pnxJuMbLe7-aTOJk/s640/UXPA_tut_blog.jpg)
- understand the effect of "meta-principles" consistency, hierarchy, and personality on use and appeal of digital applications
- define a target for UI design work that serves their users and their organization
- learn how characteristics of visual design "tools" layout, type, color, images, and controls can help or hinder people in their interpretation and use of apps