Imagine you're on a treasure hunt.
Heuristics are the foundation that make the whole thing possible in the first place: The trusty map or a unique compass that guides you through.
From keeping things consistent to making actions undoable, these guidelines ensure your users won't get lost in the wilds of your interface.
Aesthetic-Usability Effect
Users perceive aesthetically pleasing design (like this website) as more usable, even if the usability is the same. Furthermore, users are more likely to forgive mistakes and ambiguities.
"It's like judging a book by its cover, and then actually enjoying the book!"
Fitts’s Law
The time it takes to move to a target area is a function of the distance to the target and the size of the target.
"Think of it like tossing crumpled paper into a trash bin. The closer and bigger the bin, the easier the shot!"
Goal-Gradient Effect
Motivation increases as a goal becomes closer, leading to increased effort and engagement.
"Ever notice how you speed up when the finish line is in sight? That's the goal gradient effect pushing you forward!"
Hick’s Law
The time it takes to make a decision increases with the number and complexity of choices.
"Ever get stuck in a menu with too many options? Hick's Law says you're not alone!"
Jakob’s Law
Users prefer interfaces that are familiar and consistent with their past experiences.
"Why reinvent the wheel when users already know how to roll with it?"
Miller’s Law
The average person can only keep 7 (plus or minus 2) items in their working memory at once.
"Got a grocery list longer than 7 items? Better write it down, or you'll end up with just bread, milk, and... wait, what was the third thing?"
Paradox of the Active User
Users only rarely read manuals and instead start using the software right away.
"'Do you think he plans it all out, or just makes it up as he goes along?' ...Well definiteley the latter!"
Parkinson’s Law
Work expands to fill the time available for its completion.
"Ever notice how a 5-minute task can take an hour if you let it? That’s Parkinson’s Law at play!"
Gestalt Principles are the mind’s magic tricks that turn chaos into order. Think of them as the secret sauce that makes your design naturally pleasing.
By grouping, aligning, and simplifying elements, you create a seamless experience that feels just right. It’s like arranging your camp gear - if everything is ordered correctly, you gain a pretty good overview.
Law of Common Region
Elements tend to be perceived into groups if they are sharing an area with a clearly defined boundary.
"It's like grouping your snacks into bowls – everything in the bowl feels like a set!"
Law of Proximity
Elements that are close together are perceived as more related than elements that are far apart.
"It’s like at a party: if people are huddled close, your brain thinks they're besties. Spread them out, and suddenly, they're just acquaintances!"
Law of Prägnanz
People perceive complex shapes as a single, recognizable pattern rather than as multiple, simpler elements.
"It's like seeing an animal in a cloud instead of mere condensed water vapor. Our brains love simplicity in chaos!"
Law of Similarity
Elements that are similar in appearance are perceived as part of the same group.
"It's why uniforms work – everyone dressed alike is seen as a team."
Law of Uniform Connectedness
Elements that are visually connected are perceived as more related than elements with no connection.
"Ever followed a dotted line on a map? Your brain connects the dots!"
Cognitive biases are the quirks and shortcuts our brains use to make decisions. They can lead users to jump to conclusions or miss what's right in front of them.
As a UX designer, knowing these biases is like having a cheat sheet for understanding user behavior.
Use this knowledge wisely, and you'll guide your users through your (hopefully intuitive) design like a pro.
Peak-End Rule
People judge an experience largely based on how they felt at its peak and at its end, rather than the total sum or average of every moment of the experience.
"Remember your last rollercoaster? You probably recall the biggest drop and the final stop!"
Serial Position Effect
People tend to remember the first and last items in a series better than the middle items.
"It's why opening acts and finales steal the show!"
Von Restorff Effect
Items that stand out from their surroundings are more likely to be remembered.
"Highlighting your notes? That's the Von Restorff Effect in action!"
Zeigarnik Effect
People remember uncompleted or interrupted tasks better than completed tasks.
"Why cliffhangers keep you hooked – your brain craves closure!"
Beyond the basics lie the extra nuggets of wisdom that can turn a good design into a great one.
These principles cover everything from making designs accessible to crafting engaging interactions. Think of them as the bonus chapters in your UX survival guide - each tip and trick is another tool in your belt, helping you create designs that delight and endure.
Doherty Threshold
Productivity soars when a computer and its users interact at a pace (<400ms) that ensures that neither has to wait on the other.
"Blink and you’ll miss it – that’s the speed of an optimal interaction!"
Occam’s Razor
Among competing hypotheses, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected.
"If you hear hoofbeats in Europe, you think about horses, not zebras."
Pareto Principle
Roughly 80% of effects come from 20% of causes.
"20% of your closet probably holds 80% of the clothes you actually wear!"
Postel’s Law
Be conservative in what you send, liberal in what you accept.
"It’s like being a gracious host at a party: you set a classy table but welcome every quirky guest with open arms!"
Tesler’s Law
For any system there is a certain amount of complexity which cannot be reduced.
"Imagine trying to fold a map perfectly back to its original size – Tesler's Law tells us that some things are just naturally messy, no matter how neatly we try to arrange them!"
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