What are the Laws of UX? All 21 Laws Explained
User experience (UX) design is an intricate discipline that blends principles of psychology, design, and user-centered methodologies to create intuitive and compelling digital products. The "Laws of UX" guide designers in understanding human behavior to create more user-friendly designs. This blog will explore all 21 laws of UX in detail, explaining how each can be applied to enhance your design process and improve user experiences.
Aesthetic-Usability Effect
Definition: Users often perceive aesthetically pleasing designs as more usable.
Application: Prioritize visual appeal without compromising functionality. A beautiful design can enhance user satisfaction and make the interface more straightforward. For example, a clean, modern design with harmonious color schemes and well-chosen typography can make a website more inviting and trustworthy, encouraging users to explore further.
Doherty Threshold
Definition: Productivity soars when a computer and its users interact at a pace that ensures that neither has to wait on the other.
Application: Design interfaces that respond quickly to user actions to maintain engagement and efficiency. Ensure that feedback is immediate, whether through loading animations, progress indicators, or quick response times. For instance, Google Search's instant results feature keeps users engaged by displaying search results as they type.
Fitts's Law
Definition: The time to acquire a target is a function of the distance to and size of the target.
Application: Make important buttons and interactive elements larger and place them closer to where users' attention will likely be. In practice, this means placing frequently used buttons in easy-to-reach areas, such as the corners or edges of the screen, and making them large enough to be easily clickable.
Hick's Law
Definition: The time it takes to decide increases with the number and complexity of choices.
Application: Simplify user choices by limiting options and breaking complex tasks into smaller steps. For example, an e-commerce site can improve usability by categorizing products into clear, concise categories, allowing users to filter options progressively rather than overwhelming them with too many choices.
Jakob's Law
Definition: Users spend most of their time on other sites, so they prefer your site to work the same way as all the other sites they already know.
Application: Follow established design conventions and patterns to meet user expectations and reduce the learning curve. For instance, placing the navigation menu at the top or left side of the screen and using familiar icons for everyday actions like search and settings ensures that users can easily navigate your site.
Law of Common Region
Definition: Elements tend to be perceived as a group if they are located within the same closed region.
Application: Use borders or backgrounds to group related elements together, making it easier for users to understand their relationships. For example, grouping form fields with a common background or border helps users understand that these fields are related and should be completed together.
Law of Proximity
Definition: Objects that are close to each other are perceived as related.
Application: Place related elements near each other to indicate their connection and improve the overall organization of the design. For instance, placing a product image, description, and "Add to Cart" button close together helps users quickly understand that these elements are related and part of a single interaction.
Law of Prägnanz
Definition: People will perceive and interpret ambiguous or complex images in the simplest form(s) possible.
Application: Strive for simplicity in design by reducing visual clutter and focusing on essential elements. Use clear, concise text, simple icons, and ample white space to create a clean, easy-to-understand interface. This approach helps users process information quickly and reduces cognitive load.
Law of Similarity
Definition: The human eye perceives similar elements in a design as a complete picture, shape, or group, even if those elements are separated.
Application: Use similar colors, shapes, or sizes for related elements to indicate their connection. For example, using the same color for all buttons that perform similar actions (e.g., primary calls-to-action) helps users quickly identify their function.
Law of Uniform Connectedness
Definition: Visually connected elements are perceived as more related than elements with no connection.
Application: Use lines, colors, or shapes to connect related elements, guiding users through the interface visually. For instance, using lines to connect labels to their corresponding form fields helps users understand which labels apply to which fields.
Miller's Law
Definition: The average person can only keep 7 (plus or minus 2) items in their working memory.
Application: Limit the information presented once and use chunking to organize information into manageable groups. For example, breaking down a long form into smaller sections with clear headings helps users process and complete the form more easily.
Occam's Razor
Definition: The one with the fewest assumptions should be selected among competing hypotheses.
Application: Simplify designs by removing unnecessary elements and focusing on what truly matters to the user. For example, avoid adding decorative elements that do not serve a functional purpose, and prioritize clear, straightforward navigation and content.
Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule)
Definition: 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.
Application: Focus on the most essential features that will impact user satisfaction and productivity. For example, identify the core features that users rely on most and ensure they are easily accessible and highly functional.
Parkinson's Law
Definition: Any task will inflate until all available time is spent.
Application: Set clear deadlines and constraints to keep the design process focused and efficient. For instance, agile methodologies with defined sprints and deadlines helps keep projects on track and prevent scope creep.
Peak-End Rule
Definition: People judge an experience largely based on how they felt at its peak and its end rather than the total sum or average of every moment of the experience.
Application: To leave a lasting impression, focus on creating positive peak moments and a strong ending in your user experience. For example, ensure that key interactions, such as completing a purchase or signing up for a service, are smooth and satisfying and provide a positive conclusion to the user's journey.
Postel's Law (Robustness Principle)
Definition: Be liberal in what you accept and conservative in what you send.
Application: Design interfaces that handle user input flexibly and provide clear, consistent outputs to avoid confusion and errors. For example, allowing users to enter dates in multiple formats but displaying them in a standard format ensures a smooth user experience.
Serial Position Effect
Definition: Users tend best to remember the first and last items in a series.
Application: To increase recall, place the most important information or actions at the beginning and end of lists. For example, positioning key features or offers at the top and bottom of a webpage helps ensure users are more likely to remember them.
Tesler's Law (Law of Conservation of Complexity)
Definition: Every application has an inherent amount of irreducible complexity. The only question is who will have to deal with it.
Application: Simplify interfaces as much as possible for users, even if it means more complexity for the design team behind the scenes. For example, designing a complex backend system to handle data processing ensures the user interface remains simple and easy to use.
Von Restorff Effect (Isolation Effect)
Definition: When multiple similar objects are present, the one that differs from the rest will most likely be remembered.
Application: Make essential elements stand out through contrast, color, or size to draw users' attention. For example, using a distinct color for the primary call-to-action button makes it more noticeable and likely to be clicked.
Zeigarnik Effect
Definition: People remember uncompleted or interrupted tasks better than completed tasks.
Application: Use progress indicators or interruptions to keep users engaged and encourage them to complete tasks. For example, showing a progress bar during a multi-step form helps users understand their progress and motivates them to finish.
The Principle of Least Astonishment
Definition: Users should not be surprised by the behavior of an interface.
Application: Design interactions that align with user expectations and provide predictable, intuitive outcomes. For example, ensuring that buttons and links behave consistently throughout your site helps users feel more comfortable and confident in their interactions.
Conclusion
Understanding and applying the laws of UX can significantly enhance the user experience of your designs. These principles provide a foundation for creating intuitive, efficient, and enjoyable interfaces that meet user needs and expectations.
By integrating these laws into your design process, you can create products that are functional and delightful to use. Whether you are designing a website, an app, or any other digital product, these laws will help guide your decisions and improve the overall user experience.