10 Essential UX Laws For Top Designers in 2024

Uncover the 10 game-changing UX laws every designer needs to know. Elevate your design skills to dominate the digital world in 2024!

10 Essential UX Laws For Top Designers in 2024
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Read time: under 4 minutes

UX Laws are…overrated

UX laws seem to be all the rage on Google Search these days.
As someone who has spent over a decade working in UX design, I’ve realized not all of them are as practical and applicable as they might seem.
In today’s blog post, I’ll share my personal top 10 UX laws that have truly made a difference in my day-to-day design work
These laws have stood the test of time and consistently delivered results in creating exceptional UX.
So, without further ado, let's dive in 👇
 

Questions you should ask when designing with Emily Anderson.
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Questions you should ask when designing with Emily Anderson.

#1 The Law of Clarity: The Secret to User Satisfaction

The best UX designs prioritize clarity and simplicity. Ensuring users can easily navigate and understand your platform.
 
🔸
Example: Google's search page exemplifies this principle with its minimalistic layout and straightforward search function.
 
Google’s homepage
Google’s homepage

#2 The Law of Feedback: Keep Users Engaged and Informed

Feedback is vital for users to understand the consequences of their actions.
Without it, they may be left unsure of what to do next. Provide immediate and clear feedback for every interaction on your site or app.
 
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Example: Instagram's "like" feature provides immediate feedback by turning the heart icon red and displaying the number of likes when tapped.
 
Illustration.
Illustration.

#3 The Law of Consistency: Creating a Seamless Experience

Users expect consistency within a platform, both visually and functionally.
Consistent design elements, like colour schemes and button styles, promote a seamless experience and help users build familiarity with your product.
 
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Example: Apple's iOS maintains a consistent design language across its apps, making it easy for users to navigate and understand different functionalities.
 
Apple.
Apple.
 
More actionable tips and fewer headaches: Join designers from 40+ countries using UX Playbook. Get detailed step-by-step guides and templates to supercharge your UX process.
 

#4 The Law of Flexibility: Catering to Diverse User Needs

Different users have different preferences, needs, and abilities.
Your design should accommodate these variations by offering multiple ways to accomplish a task or providing customizable options.
 
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Example: Amazon offers multiple methods for users to browse and search for products, catering to diverse preferences and needs.
 
Amazon.
Amazon.

#5 The Law of Proximity: Increase Efficiency through Strategic Grouping

Elements that are related should be grouped together.
This helps users easily understand the relationship between items and increases the efficiency of their interactions.
 
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Example: Spotify groups related controls, such as play, pause, and skip buttons, together, making it easy for users to control their music.
 
Spotify.
Spotify.

#6 The Law of Error Prevention: Reduce Frustration by Minimizing Mistakes

It's better to prevent errors from occurring than to correct them afterward.
Design your interface to minimize the likelihood of user mistakes by providing helpful instructions, warnings, and constraints.
 
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Example: When creating a password, many websites display requirements and provide feedback on password strength, reducing the chance of users creating weak passwords.
 
LinkedIn.
LinkedIn.

#7 The Law of Affordances: Communicate Function with Visual Cues

Design elements should clearly communicate their intended function. Visual cues, like shape, size, and colour, can inform users of how an element should be used.
 
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Example: Buttons are designed to look clickable, with raised edges and hover effects, signalling to users that they can be interacted with.
 
Different buttons/icons
Different buttons/icons

#8 The Law of Recognition: Make Your Interface Intuitive

Users rely on recognition rather than recall when interacting with digital interfaces.
Make it easy for them to recognize familiar elements by using common icons, patterns, and labels.
 
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Example: The hamburger menu, composed of three horizontal lines, is a widely recognized symbol for a navigation menu.
 
Navigation menu with different colours
Navigation menu with different colours

#9 The Law of Cognitive Load: Simplify Tasks for Enhanced Usability

Minimize the mental effort required to use your product by reducing complex tasks into simpler steps and eliminating unnecessary information.
 
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Example: Airbnb's booking process breaks down the reservation into manageable steps, guiding users through the process without overwhelming them with information.
 
AirBnB booking system
AirBnB booking system

#10 The Law of Emotional Design: Evoke Positive Emotions for Memorable Experiences

Emotion plays a significant role in user experience.
By considering users' emotions, you can create a more engaging and memorable experience.
 
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Example: MailChimp's mascot, Freddie, adds a touch of fun and personality to the platform, evoking positive emotions and making the experience more enjoyable for users.
 
Mailchimp’s logos
Mailchimp’s logos

Key takeaways

As you step into the world of UX design, remember that UX is all about making genuine connections with your users and enhancing their digital journeys.
The 10 UX laws shared here have shaped my design career and helped me create experiences that truly resonate with people.
So, embrace these game-changing UX laws, unleash your creativity, and embark on a journey to transform the digital world, one exceptional UX at a time.
Happy designing! See you in the next blog post ✌️
 

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Christopher Nguyen

Founder of UX Playbook

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