# :: Tips & Tricks :: See also the Quick Start and the JGoodies articles and presentations. ## 8 Steps to a Better Swing UI Choose a look&feel that uses appropriate fonts and colors. Choose an appropriate icon set. Remove clutter. Align, group, relate and balance. Learn to work with negative space. Take care of aspect ratios. Be consistent. Comply with style guides. ## Don'ts Don't change colors. Don't change fonts. Don't break the icon design. ## Do's Remove clutter. Use TitledBorders carefully. Add negative space. Align. Be consistent. Balance the design. Use contrast effectively. Use aesthetic aspect ratios. ## Tips Benefit from the powerful JFC: Java2D, translucency, etc. Carefully add color, advanced typography, images, animation. Enable problem analysis. Know critical performance issues. Take care of the application startup. Construct lazily ... and prepare eagerly! Check your UI via ClearLook.
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