I recently wrote an article outlining 10 Ways to Keep Your UI Out of the Way for the Carsonified blog. Please take some time to read and comment.
Know your user
Your user’s goals are your goals, so learn them. Restate them, repeat them. Then, learn about your user’s skills and experience, and what they need. Find out what interfaces they like and sit down and watch how they use them. Do not get carried away trying to keep up with the competition by mimicking trendy design styles or adding new features. By focusing on your user first, you will be able to create an interface that lets them achieve their goals.
Read the rest at the Carsonified blog…