You might be the best code-slinger in the world, but if your user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) are abysmal, all your amazing functionality will be completely overlooked by frustrated users. Don’t let that happen to you! Here are 9 principles of UI/UX design that will ensure your next project gets the love it deserves.
1) Consider Multiple Platforms
A key to successful design is understanding the context in which your design will be used. If your app is only for iOS, then it would not make sense to include material design elements. Similarly, if you are designing a game for Windows-based computers, you wouldn’t want to go with an Android-style interface. With that said, let’s take a look at some more general guidelines that will help you think about how to design your next project.
2) Put Users First
As one of the most important aspects of design, the user is what your application or website should be designed around. This doesn’t mean that you should design for yourself and hope that it will appeal to all users, but rather you need to take into account how each feature will affect the people who are using it. Some things to keep in mind are questions like: Is this easy enough for an average person to use? Do they understand why this button exists? Do they know what the benefits are from using this app?
3) Don’t Get Caught Up in Trends
Too often, designers get caught up in trends and spend more time getting excited about the latest tools than thinking about how to use them. In the end, they may just be wasting their time. The best approach is to understand what you’re trying to accomplish and then see which technology will get you there. Resist the temptation to use every new tool that comes out. Remember, it’s not always necessary to have a trendy design or UX strategy in order for your project to be successful.
4) Don’t Forget About Usability
When we think about usability, it is often in the context of user interface design. A great user interface is not enough to create an effective product. It’s important to ensure that people can complete tasks with the least amount of difficulty possible. This means simplifying navigation, content labeling, and reducing workload on users.
5) Creativity Can Work for You, Too
Creativity can be applied to many different fields. One such field is User Interface and User Experience design. According to Jeffrey Zeldman, creativity is the lifeblood of UX design. He goes on to explain that without it, we’d all be designing interfaces according to the same old tired principles. But creativity isn’t just for designers. It’s for anyone who wants something better.
6) Follow Visual Hierarchy
A key principle in designing an effective user interface is to follow the visual hierarchy. Every screen has two parts: the foreground and the background. The foreground is typically what the user interacts with to navigate through the app or website, while the background is there for support. Your goal as a designer should be to lead their attention from one element to another so that they are able to complete tasks quickly and efficiently. It’s important not to create too many elements on your screen at once that could confuse or overwhelm them, but also not too few that would leave them struggling. A good rule of thumb is to design your pages with three levels of information: primary, secondary, and tertiary.
7) Familiarity Can Aid in UX
The two most important principles to remember when designing for users are simplicity and familiarity. When people first encounter an unfamiliar system, they are often overwhelmed by the amount of information and where to find it. This is why many companies choose to design with a one page system rather than having links scattered all over the place. For example, if you have links in your navigation bar on the top left-hand side and then again on the bottom left-hand side, it can be difficult for users to determine which area they should explore first.
8) Balan
ce Optimization and Functionality
Balance is everything when it comes to design. You want to make sure the product works for your users and that they’re able to use it without difficulty. A good way to do this is by designing in an iterative process, where you start with the idea and move on from there. This will allow you to get feedback as you work, which will help your design evolve with the needs of your users.
9) Create an Engaging Learning Experience
- Keep it simple! Focus on the design and make sure that what you create is intuitive and easy to use. Simplicity is key, as users will not want to spend time learning how to use your design if they can’t figure out how it works.
- Be consistent! The most important aspect of an interface is how everything comes together as one cohesive unit. In order for this to happen, every component needs to follow the same rules and guidelines so that you have consistency across all pages and screens. This will also help people learn your system faster because they’ll know where things are at all times.
- Give feedback quickly!
Final Note
It is important to recognize that the UI and UX process is not linear. It is iterative, cyclical, and incremental. A successful UI and UX process will involve designers and developers working closely together in order to create the best user experience for your product. So if you are looking for a UI development company to partner with on your next project, we would love to help!
