User experience design has become one of the most valuable tools in business and creative endeavors. For those who are not familiar with this concept, UX design refers to how users interact with the interface of an application or website, as well as how much satisfaction they derive from using it. In order to improve UX design, users and designers alike need to understand the principles and laws of UX design. These principles and laws are as follows…
Jakob’s Law
Jakob Nielsen, one of the most prominent usability and web experts, developed a law that states: Users spend most of their time on other sites. This is why it’s crucial to know where your customers are spending the majority of their time.
Hick’s Law
Hick’s Law is a law that states that the time it takes an individual to make a decision will be inversely proportional to the number of options they have. That is, as more and more choices are added, the time it takes for an individual to make a decision increases. This law can be applied not only to decisions made by individuals but also those made by groups or organizations with multiple stakeholders.
Fitts’ Law
Fitts’ Law states that the time it takes to move an object to a target is a function of the distance to and size of the target. It was developed in 1954 by Paul Fitts as an explanation for why we tend to aim for larger targets, like desktop icons, rather than smaller ones, like menu bars.
Miller’s Law
- It is important for designers to remember that people often overestimate what can be accomplished with new technologies. When people are excited by something new, they may overestimate its potential benefits, especially if it solves an immediate problem.
The Principle of Least Astonishment
One principle worth highlighting is the Principle of Least Astonishment (POLA). POLA states that a system should behave in a way that’s expected. In other words, systems should be designed to behave in the manner with which users are most familiar. This way, users don’t need to relearn how to use a system when they come across it.
The Principle of Aesthetics and Functionality
Aesthetics and functionality are the two principles that govern all design. Aesthetics is what people see, whereas functionality is what people use. You can’t have one without the other, and neither should be ignored. It’s no good designing something that looks nice but doesn’t work well for a user. Equally, it’s no good designing something that works well for a user but isn’t pleasant to look at.
The Principle of Consistency and Standardization
One of the most important principles for designing a usable interface is consistency and standardization. The principle means that you should always try to make your design as consistent as possible in order to make it easier for users to use your product. This can be achieved by using similar text styles, icons and colors across all pages, so that users don’t have to learn anything new when they move from one page to another.
The Principle of Recognition Rather Than Recall
Designers need to keep the needs and goals of their users in mind throughout the process. To do this, designers use a number of principles. One such principle is called the Principle of Recognition Rather Than Recall. It states that people need to be able to recognize something quickly and easily instead of having to remember what it is. This means that any visual element on a website should be easy for someone to figure out what it does without having to read text or hover over an icon to see what it does.
The Principle of Flexibility and Efficiency of Use
Flexibility and Efficiency are two principles that are at the core of good User Experience design. They help to ensure that an interface is as easy to use as possible, while also taking into account the amount of time people will spend using it. If a site takes too long to load or is difficult for visitors to navigate, they’re likely to leave before doing any business. The Principle of Flexibility and Efficiency is about designing for people and considering how they will interact with your website or app before you create it.
The Principle of Error Prevention
One of the principles that is often overlooked in design is the Principle of Error Prevention. This principle simply states that an error that can be prevented should not occur. For example, a button that should have been disabled but is enabled, or a password field with no text input in it. These are just a few examples and there are more than you could imagine. The number one principle in design is to never make users do something they don’t want to do and this law accomplishes that.
Final Note
UX design is an interesting and rewarding field, but it’s not easy. The principles and laws are the guiding stars that will help you navigate the world of UX design, and in this post we’ve covered some tips for getting started. If you’re looking for an easier way to learn about UX design, a great place to start is by hiring mobile app design agency in India.