An interface allows users to interact with and communicate with a system. It is an essential part of software design as it determines how users access and utilize the system's features. A poorly designed interface can prevent users from being able to use the system. The interface design process involves analysis, prototyping, evaluation, and implementation. Key principles for interface design include making the interface familiar to users, consistent, minimizing surprises, allowing for error recovery, providing guidance, and accommodating diversity among users.