: What layout and interface elements work well for a control panel-style app? I'm working on a web-based app that's similar to a control panel, with lots of different settings and features to

@Megan533

A good hierarchy is critical - DA01's suggestion about using cards is excellent since it lets you visually organize your categories before starting to code.

Plan for accessibility - controls that enable the largest group of people to easily use it make for the most popular designs. Stuff like redundancy (icons AND text), color coding (yes, it's less useful for color blind people but that's why you have redundancy) for "same as" controls (e.g., "Save", "Save as", "Save a Copy" etc. can all have similar colors / themes) and visual immediacy (most people read web pages in an "F" shape, so use the 80/20 rule and stick your most common / popular controls along the top row or along the left side) are all really useful in design of a UI.

Remember, most users these days have no idea what a "drop-down control" is but they know if there's a plate on the right-hand side of a door they should push the door open.

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