November 4, 2023
UX design is like a journey, and there are 10 laws that can help you navigate this pathway successfully. Just think of these laws as basic road signs that you see everyday to make your design journey more comfortable and effective:
1. Hick's Law - Less is More
Can you picture a menu with too many choices. Yeah! Well just like Hick's Law states that more choices can confuse users. Learn to keep things simple, like a straightforward map with clear directions. It's just like Google Map, but with a very confusing direction outline. People will easily get lost and swiftly unsubscribe from such a service.
2. Fitts's Law - Bigger is Easier
In UX, bigger buttons are definitely easier to click and notice. Think of them as big, friendly signposts on the highway, making navigation effortless. Let's say you are driving on the highway and there's a construction ahead but the signpost isn't so visible. One important thing to take note of is that, although it's cool, sometimes moderation is important too.
3. Jakob's Law - Stick to What's Familiar
People like what they know so don't overdo it. Giving people new experiences isn't a bad initiative but making a familiar experience better is even better and effective. Its advisable to stick to familiar designs to make sure your users feel at home, like using the same car model they've driven before only with updated functionalities or more comfortable interior.
4. The Von Restorff Effect - Stand Out
Now let's try to imagine a book with a colorful cover in a library. The Von Restorff Effect tells us that unique things catches more attention and gets a quicker reaction. When designing use distinctive elements to make your design pop, like a how brightly the moon illuminates the sky at night.
5. Zeigarnik Effect - Create Curiosity
I remember how curious I get about an unfinished Wattpad story? The Zeigarnik Effect says that people remember incomplete tasks. So apply that yo your process and create curiosity in your design, like a mysterious treasure hunt. Make your designs stand out and make them exciting to interact with. This keeps your Users expectant for what's next to come.
6. Parkinson's Law of Triviality - Keep it Simple
In the world of UX, simple tasks should be simple. Like can you imagine a butcher using a very small table knife to cut a very large portion of beef to share it into partitions.
7. Miller's Law - The Magic Number is 7
Ok, now let's imagine holding seven items in your hand. Miller's Law says our working memory is like that. Don't overload users with information. Keep it to a manageable amount, like packing seven items for a trip. Like a compact experience that features an appropriate amount of information which won't shutdown one's memory, but in this case, it won't shutdown the User's interest.
8. Tesler's Law - Shift Complexity
What can be a good example here, hmmm think of the user as a passenger in a car. Tesler's Law says designers should deal with complexity, not the user. Make the user's experience as smooth as a leisurely ride. Same thing a lot of vehicle services like Taxify, In-Drive, Bolt and Uber drivers aim to achieve.
9. Pareto Principle - Focus on the Vital Few
Let's say you have a box of toys (yay!), but only a few are your favorites (sadly). The Pareto Principle says most results come from a small part of the effort (kinda reminds me of less is more). Focus on the important elements in your design, things that bring about the seamless experience and add effective value for your Users.
10. Gestalt Principles - Keep Things in Harmony
Gestalt Principles are like rules to create balance and keep things grounded. Think of them as ingredients in your mom's favorite food recipe. Things like proximity, similarity, continuity, closure, and figure-ground help you mix the right elements for a well deserved dish, just like balancing out flavors in a meal.
So, do remember these 10 laws as you begin your journey in UX. They're like your friendly guides on this journey or adventure. Whether you're making a website, app, or anything user-friendly (very important to highlight user-friendly elements), these laws will help you create a smooth and enjoyable experience for your users. Now that you have this knowledge enjoy your beginner's journey in the world of UX design!