If you’re new to User Experience (UX) and need help with the basics, here is a list of UX Do’s & Don’ts that you should apply when designing a product.
The Difference Between UI and UX
Now, let’s start with what UX is. A lot of people get UI (User Interface) and UX (User Experience) confused. Luckily for you, we’ve already discussed this. But, to shorten it down:
UX is focused on the user’s journey to solve a problem; UI is focused on how a product’s surfaces look and function.
Whether you are designing an application, website, etc. Both, UX and UI will be used in the design and development process. So if you were worried about the look and function of your product, it will come.
Now let’s get into the UX Do’s & Don’ts!
UX Do’s
Focus On The User
To start off the UX Do’s & Don’ts list, you need to have a complete understanding of the end-user. They are going to be the people using your product so knowing their interactions will improve the flow of your product.
A lot of designers will layout their product as if they were the user but following this process will lead you to a dead end. In order to accommodate every end-user, understanding their habits is the first thing to do.
Platform Friendly
It is essential that your design is responsive to all platforms. That means for all phone, tablet, computer, television and even smartwatch screen sizes. With this in mind, making your website or application available on whatever device the user is using is now the basics.
KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)
A major tip in the UX Do’s & Don’ts list is, to keep it simple. Make it easy to use. User-friendly products are more likely to satisfy the user. If a user doesn’t know what is happening or what to do next, they will probably try another product.
Make It Digestible
The world is coming to a point where everybody’s attention span is so fast, that if there is too much on the screen, you’ve already lost them.
TikTok is a great example. The content can be consumed so fast and easy that users can view multiple videos in a short space of time. Which is why TikTok is so popular.
Space things out.
Clear the clutter. There is a myth that whitespace is wasted space. White space can help guide the user through interactive content. Allowing the user to view focus points on the screen easier.
Even the slighted line-height of a paragraph can affect the way someone consumes content. So keep that in mind.
Prioritise
Another key point, focus on the features that are needed first. A deadly misconception that employing more number of features can improve sales. Using the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) modal is a good solution for this. To sum up, an MVP product will pick the needed features that delight the user and to build on the user interaction.
UX Don’ts
Looks Aren’t Everything
Let’s continue the UX Do’s & Don’ts. Focus on the journey, the visual design can come after. When designing, understand how to get to the next step before making it look nice.
For example, when designing a website, lay out all the pages that will be built and link them together. Whether it be through the navigation, a link in a paragraph or a button in the body.
Wire-framing and prototyping the product can really help with how the product will function. If the product doesn't function as intended, then beautifying it won’t solve anything.
Don’t Assume
Assuming that the user knows what every feature does, is where applications fail. The only assumption to make is that the user has never used your product before.
So, design the product to cater to all ages. Using layman terms and short, clear directions will be easier to use.
Try & Reduce Repetitiveness
It can be frustrating to repeat a process. If a user has to repeat the same task over and over again, they will lose interest. Contact forms are a prime example. If a user enters the wrong details in a form, and the form deletes all the inputs when they submit.
Keeping those correct details in and highlighting the wrong ones is considered good UX.
UX Do’s & Don’ts, What now?
Now you know some of the basic principles, you can start designing! UX is everywhere, some good, some bad. So if you are looking to improve your skills even further, there is an endless amount of resources out there.
For quick and easy to consume tips, just visit Instagram. There are great accounts out there like UX/UI Daily and UX Base that provide tips on UX Do’s and Dont’s, useful tools and more.
Now get designing!