A user experience designer constantly considers the user’s experience when designing a concept or product. The UX process helps us identify new opportunities for products and create innovative concepts to improve existing products. During this process, it is extremely important to incorporate design principles that ensure a positive user experience and encourage returning users.
It is good for designers to ask themselves, “Are we using the right UX/UI elements to achieve our product’s goals?
Here is a list of 10 key UX and UI elements that help you achieve the best positive user experience.
Best Performing CTA Buttons
You need to create call-to-action buttons in your product that are highly effective.
To accomplish its dedicated purpose, it is vital that the right context is added to its action. Consider using “Buy Now” instead of “Buy.” However, do not exceed three words.
Call to Action for Mobile Screens
CTA buttons come in various sizes. Human Fingertips study reveals humans’ index fingers have an average width of 16–20mm; thus, the ideal button size should be 40–50px wide.
Depending on the platform for which the application is built, the design specs are different. For instance, for iOS, the button height should be somewhere around 44px. And the clickable area for icons should ideally be 44x44px. Similarly, for Android, it should be somewhere near 48px, and the area for icons should be 48x48px
Primary Action Button
A prominent, large, and easily accessible action button should be used as the primary action. The user will always be able to confirm their actions better if the button is wider and tappable on mobile. A reasonably larger primary action button provides users with the ability to hit their targets accurately, even with slightly off-target fingers.
Emphasize the Main Picture
Consider image overlaying when you want to draw attention to a certain part of your design. This makes it visually more appealing to the user, thereby persuading them to purchase the product or sign up for the service.
Context of Field Requirement
a placeholder with a sample copy of the required data makes it clear for users to quickly come up with the information needed to fill in the field. Instead of putting the text “phone number,” insert a sample phone number. Similarly, instead of the text “email,” insert a sample email like “[email protected].” This principle is well established in UX design.
Error Message Indication
There are times when we make mistakes and, when this happens, it’s best if we are offered a suggestion about how to correct them. This goes in line with the website design too. A concise and informative error message will surely increase conversion rates.
It is important to distinguish the error fields from the normal input fields and to place the error messages in a thoughtful manner. The design needs to be clear enough to communicate the error instruction well so that the user can easily read and follow it and make the required corrections. Users will be better able to spot where they made mistakes and fix them quickly by being able to identify the location of the error.
Use of Icons
In order to effectively communicate a concept, icons should always have a primary objective of conveying a concept quickly. The symbol in the design should be understandable, readable, represent a strong meaning, and reinforce a specific function when words cannot convey it well. However, overusing icons will compromise the user experience and design quality. Make sure they are used carefully and efficiently.
Hierarchical Structure for Text Styles and Fonts
Before beginning the UI design process, it is imperative to develop a hierarchy of text styles and choose fonts to ensure consistent UI design across all parts of a product. You can achieve this by creating a design system for your product, which displays a hierarchy of text styles from the largest to the smallest, with a maximum of 2 typefaces. While you can use more, it’s better to avoid it.
You should choose a font family that offers various styles such as light, regular, bold, and extra bold in addition to the weights. By doing this, you will add some additional dynamics to your design without requiring a new typeface.
Adding Colors & Gradients
Color is an integral part of your visual design language when communicating with your users. The maximum number of colors you should use in a website design is five. Adding more colors will make it more difficult to use them effectively. The ideal color scheme for a brand would have between one and four colors depending on its vision.
Incorporating gradients into content and design enhances realism and adds an additional dimension to the design. Regardless of whether you use gradients for backgrounds, images, illustrations, or logos, it gives your design more depth. Make sure to not overload the gradient with too many colors; use no more than two or three.
You can use gradients not only to add depth to your visual elements but also to control the user flow in mobile apps and websites. Gradients subconsciously draw the user’s eye to the focal point and create a seamless flow.
The Bottom Line
The UX and UI principles are designed to offer visual convenience and sustain users. They significantly contribute to creating a seamless and positive experience for website visitors. Therefore, it is essential to cater to these principles during web and mobile app development.
