When I first create a software prototype, I notice that my very first versions of things often don’t actually do anything. They look like they should, but they don’t.
Instead, I put all of the pieces in their places, so I can see where all my buttons, sliders and other doodads will go. Then I spend some time rearranging things until it all looks nice.
Only then do I wire things up to actually be functional. It’s sort of like sketching things out in pencil, only in software.
I have come to realize that this purely aesthetic exercise is an important part of the process. Before going any further I need to feel that everything in the right place.
After all, if what I see on the dashboard doesn’t make sense to me, I’m not going to want to drive the car.