This is part two in our two-part series celebrating 35 years in UX by sharing 35 insights we’ve gained through the decades. See part one here.
18. The role of a researcher has changed: soft skills should now include networking, storytelling, sales, project management, and logistics
Modern UX researchers need a diverse skill set beyond traditional research methods, including the ability to network, tell compelling stories, manage projects, and handle logistics.
19. You don't have to wait until the experience is fully built out to do research
Early-stage research, including low-fidelity prototypes and concept testing, can give you valuable insights and guide development before a product is fully built.
20. Context matters – always understand the environment in which your product is used
Usability can vary greatly depending on the user's context. Understanding the environment and conditions in which a product is used is a necessary consideration in effective design.
21. Users often blame themselves when they can't use a product effectively
When users struggle with a product, they often feel it's their fault. It's important to design in a way that minimizes frustration and builds user confidence.
22. Consistency is key – make sure similar actions and elements work the same way across your product
Consistent design reduces the learning curve for users and reduces the frequency of errors. Be diligent about making sure that similar elements and actions behave predictably throughout your product.
23. Design for accessibility from the start, not as an afterthought
Accessibility should be a foundational aspect of design, ensuring that all users, including those with temporary or permanent disabilities, can use the product effectively.
24. Iterative design leads to better outcomes – use feedback to refine your product continuously
Continuous improvement based on user feedback helps create a product that better meets user needs and expectations over time.
25. Surveys are helpful, but observing actual user behavior provides deeper insights
While surveys can gather broad feedback, direct observation of users interacting with your product reveals more detailed and actionable insights.
26. Design with empathy – understand your users' emotions, motivations, and frustrations
Empathizing with users allows designers to create solutions that truly address user needs and pain points, resulting in more user-friendly products.
27. Complexity can be daunting – strive for simplicity in design
Simple designs are more intuitive and easier to use. Reducing unnecessary complexity can significantly enhance the user experience.
28. Don’t ignore edge cases – they can reveal important usability issues
Addressing edge cases ensures that the product works well for all users, including those with uncommon needs or in unusual situations.
29. Visual hierarchy guides users’ attention – use it to highlight important elements
Effective use of visual hierarchy helps users quickly find and focus on the most important elements, improving overall usability.
30. Users have limited memory – minimize the need for users to remember information across steps
Designs that minimize cognitive load by reducing the need for memory retention help users complete tasks more easily and accurately.
31. Feedback is essential – provide clear, immediate feedback for user actions
People like positive reinforcement. Immediate feedback lets users know their actions have been registered and guides them on what to do next, reducing confusion and errors.
32. Mobile usability is different – always test on actual devices
Mobile devices have unique usability considerations. Testing on real devices ensures that the mobile experience is as good as the desktop experience.
33. Error messages should be helpful, not just alerts
Nobody likes a scold. Clear and constructive error messages guide users on how to correct mistakes, improving the overall experience by giving users a sense of empowerment where they might otherwise feel helpless or frustrated.
34. Learn from other disciplines – psychology, anthropology, and sociology can inform UX design
Insights from various fields can enhance understanding of user behavior and inform better design decisions.
35. Celebrate small wins – acknowledge incremental improvements and their impact on usability
Recognizing and celebrating small usability improvements can motivate the team and reinforce the importance of ongoing user-centered design efforts. Your end users are important, but so are the people you work with. Celebrate them often.