I was going through some old notes today and came across a note that I wrote exactly a year ago.
At the time, I was trying to create a more specific UX and Visual design system, and wanted to define my 10 most important design principles to build from.
10 UX Principles for EPRI
1. Simplicity
At the time, I was trying to create a more specific UX and Visual design system, and wanted to define my 10 most important design principles to build from.
10 UX Principles for EPRI
1. Simplicity
- We should constrain our content to its most simplest form whenever possible. Allow the users to focus on the core purpose of the page.
- As we continue our transition to a responsive design system, A one column layout is easier to implement. It minimizes variation between viewports and is easier to develop for.
- This is particularly important within navigation
- Ockham’s Razor states that when in doubt, you should always choose simplicity
2. Color Uniformity / ADA Compliance
- By using color sparingly, we can ensure that our calls to action are prominent and distinguishable form other elements on the page
- Utilizing the UI guidelines assures that the elements utilized are ADA compliant
3. Keeping Focus - Hick’s Law
- Hick’s Law: The time it takes for a user to make a decision depends on the number of choices available. The higher the number the longer the decision time
- Reduce the number of calls to action and focus on the primary activity
4. Visual Hierarchy
- Typography, color, and whitespace help users understand what is most important
- Importance can be immediately perceived and understood in any language
5. Visual Recognition
- Understanding what is Public and Authenticated has to be clear
- Common UI elements have to persist throughout all of our applications
6. Larger Targets - Fitts’s Law
- Responsive Design means users should be able to interact with with elements on a mobile device or touch-enabled platform
- Form fields, buttons, click targets and links should be easily utilized in a touch-enabled platform
- Fitts’s Law states that the time to acquire a target is a function of the distance to and size of the target
7. Progressive Disclosure
- Sequencing actions and information through a series of steps in a gradual way
- Instead of confusing users with many options, focus on the necessary tasks they need to perform in the order they need to complete them
- Minimize complexity and decrease a user’s cognitive load
8. Flexibility-Visibility Tradeoff
- As the flexibility increases, the complexity increases, and the usability decreases
- Concentrate on the key action and make it more prominent than everything else
9. Utilize Miller’s Law in navigation and lists
- The Average person can only keep 7, plus or minus 2, items in their working memory.
- Organize things in a group of 5-9 at a maximum
10. Evidence-backed Change
- We can’t make changes due to a single comment or wish, however, it should go through a process to see if it is necessary and beneficial before action is taken on it