As a graphic designer, your computer will determine the quality of your work. The ability to produce content that enhances user satisfaction is the main goal of graphic designs – improving usability, accessibility, and pleasure during use.
To deliver high quality, you need a machine that allows you to create the best graphics. However, even the best processors can’t help if your display doesn’t display in high resolution. Investing in the best monitor for UX design is as important
High resolution
The more pixel resolution you can get your hands on, the better. You need something between 4K and Ultra HD (UHD) display. The UHD display guarantees great color display, with resolutions between 3840 - 2160 pixels. You can also check out Wide-quad HD (WQHD) monitors with high resolutions of 2560 – 1440 pixels.
Size also matters where detailed high-resolution images are involved. By maximizing your screen’s size, you are able to view multiple objects on the same screen. This also removes the need to work with multiple screens. Your best bet is something between 27 to 32 inches in size.
Input/Output connections
You need a screen that has at least an HDMI port, Displayport 1.2 as well as dual-link DV I ports. A model with DisplayPort 1.2 or Thunderbolt in and Out ports are preferred if you plan to use multiple display screens.
A UHD screen that supports Multi-Stream transfer (MST), accompanied by a graphics card that has either a DisplayPort 1.2 or two HDMI ports.
Grey-scale accuracy
Your colors should look the same on the screen as they do in print. Thus, color accuracy is a very important factor to consider when selecting a screen. A model with Advance High-Performance In-Plane Switching (AH-IPS)To allow frequent calibrations, you need a 10-, 12- or 14-bit lookup table, while covering 99% of the Adobe RGB color space.
There are monitors that come with calibration tools for both hardware and software. This helps maintain color consistency. A good In-place Switching (IPS) should be able to display all shades of light and dark grey, which influence the level of highlight and shadow details on your graphics. Good IPS technology also provides wide viewing angles, and they do deliver solid color luminosity when viewed from all sides.
Ergonomics
“Ergonomics” is the application of physiological processes to making a product more conducive for the working environment. A graphic designer will spend several hours working on the computer, and thus they can suffer from aches and cramps due to sitting for long periods.
An ergonomic stand for your screen allows you to adjust the height and change positions through side swiveling, allowing you to adjust to the most comfortable position. Some stands come with a pivot that allows you to rotate the screen 90 degrees so that you can work with a portrait mode if the need arises. This is good news for those that are working with long documents or coding.
Some screens come with USB ports that allow you to plug in flash drives or even the capacity to charge your phone. A card reader slot, while not a necessity will come in handy when the need to upload media files. This comes in handy if all your USB ports are currently in use, or if your CPU rests under your desk and you cannot keep on bending to reach the USB ports.
Conclusions
Picking a monitor may not seem like a complex decision, especially considering the wide availability of affordable and higher quality flat screens on the market. However, when using the monitor for applications such as graphic design or other professional endeavors, it’s important to be selective in your search. The above factors will make very good criteria for picking a high quality monitor for your needs.