Lessons from Microchip: Why GUI Simplicity Matters in Industrial Displays

When Microchip released its Unique Low-Cost Touchscreen Reference Solution, the focus wasn’t just on cost—it was on usability. In an era where embedded HMI systems are becoming more complex, Microchip’s emphasis on user-friendly graphical interfaces serves as a critical reminder: simplicity wins in industrial environments.It features a 480x320 HVGA Smart Display module with a Capacitive Touch Sensor Overlay from our display partner Rocktech Displays.

Why Simplicity is a Strength

Industrial and embedded devices are often used in harsh or high-stress environments—factories, medical equipment, transportation systems—where users may not have time to learn complicated interfaces. A clean, intuitive GUI reduces training costs, prevents input errors, and improves operational efficiency.

Key takeaways from Microchip’s approach:

• Minimalist layouts with high-contrast visuals

• Touch-optimized interaction zones

• Low memory and CPU footprint, enabling lower-cost hardware

These features ensure the interface remains responsive and effective, even on low-power embedded platforms.

Real-World Impact on SBC Design

When designing our own custom SBC-based display systems, we’ve learned similar lessons. In one of our recent PCB design challenges, we had to break away from traditional rectangular layouts to accommodate unique housing and UX requirements. The underlying goal remained the same: optimize user interaction while maintaining hardware simplicity.

Bridging UI Concepts and Hardware Constraints

What makes GUI design in embedded systems unique is the constant trade-off between form and function:

• Display modules often have fixed resolutions

• Touch controllers vary in sensitivity and mapping logic

• Processing and rendering capabilities are limited on low-power SoCs

This means your UI/UX decisions directly affect BOM cost, thermal behavior, and even PCB layout. Microchip’s demo simplifies this equation by offering a clean reference architecture that integrates GUI elements with affordable touchscreen hardware.

Conclusion

Whether you’re designing a full-fledged industrial HMI or a compact medical device, clear and intuitive GUI design is as important as the hardware itself. Microchip’s example offers valuable guidance, but the principle applies broadly across embedded product development.

If you’re looking to balance interface clarity with hardware practicality, studying successful reference designs is a good place to start.