Display Messages in Proximity

Most appropriate place

The best place to show validation is to keep it close to the field to be validated. Proximity is the design principle that has to be complied with while deciding the right place. The diagram above explains the best. After the user enters justin, right below the user is informed that the Skype name is not available and some other name suggestions are provided to help the user.

“Fighting Apprehension in the minds of users is the soul of Best Design Practices for Form Validation”

Generally speaking, there are three important messages that a good form validation should convey to the user:

• An error has occurred. Display clearly that there is an error in the form, preferably using a red color signal to attract attention
• Where the error occurred: Highlighting the fields that caused the error
• How the error can be repaired: Provide information on what needs to be different in order for the field to validate