What Design Mistakes Have Influenced Your Approach?
Diving into the world of user experience design, we've gathered insights from CEOs and UX experts to uncover pivotal design lessons. From the importance of simplifying user interfaces to the necessity of adhering to established design patterns, here are the top four lessons learned by UX Designers that have shaped their approach to new projects.
- Simplify User Interfaces
- Embrace User Research
- Balance Aesthetics with Functionality
- Adhere to Established Design Patterns
Simplify User Interfaces
One significant design mistake I learned from was overcomplicating a user interface with too many features and options. In a past project, I created a complex dashboard that aimed to provide all possible functionalities upfront. However, this led to user confusion and frustration, as the interface was cluttered and overwhelming.
From this experience, I've adopted a more streamlined approach to new projects. Now, I prioritize simplicity and clarity, focusing on core functionalities and user needs. I use iterative design and user testing to refine interfaces, ensuring that each element serves a clear purpose and contributes to an intuitive user experience. This approach has not only improved user satisfaction but also made the design process more efficient and effective.
Embrace User Research
Well, this goes back to when I started, more than 25 years ago. UX for the internet barely existed—it wasn't even called UX (although we did the same work, just under the marketing or CS umbrella, depending on the project). And I made the same mistake that many novices still do: thinking my knowledge of a subject was enough to overcome users' expectations of a product, without any prior testing.
This happened to me twice. The third time, I was leading a major project for a Fortune 100 company, and we were heading down the same path until I stopped and said, "Wait, let's find out what users want." I never went back from that practice.
Now, I can tell it as a "fun" story, but in retrospect, it was quite shameful, especially because at the time, these basic UX research procedures already existed, and I knew them—I just chose to ignore them, with the obvious results.
Balance Aesthetics with Functionality
One common mistake I've learned from is prioritizing aesthetics over functionality. In a past project, I was so focused on creating a visually appealing interface that I neglected to consider the user's needs and goals. As a result, the design was beautiful but difficult to navigate, leading to user frustration and low engagement.
This experience taught me the importance of user-centered design. Now, when approaching new projects, I always start by conducting thorough user research to understand their pain points, goals, and behaviors. I then create wireframes and prototypes to test the functionality and usability of the design before moving on to aesthetics. By prioritizing user needs and conducting rigorous testing, I ensure that my designs are not only visually appealing but also easy to use and effective.
Adhere to Established Design Patterns
When I was first starting out in UX, I thought great design was about being creative and making the product look nice. I remember designing a button with three rounded corners and one square corner. I thought it looked cool. Someone told me it looked like a tab and didn't read as a button. I've since learned that users don't come to our products to enjoy the design; they come to complete a task. The best designs solve problems for users. Following well-established design patterns saves users time and helps them get things done.