Review · UI · UX · Psychology
In the ever-evolving world of user experience (UX) design, understanding the human mind and behavior is essential to create products and services that truly resonate with users. “UX Laws: Using Psychology to Design Better Products and Services” by Jon Yablonski serves as a concise and practical guide that delves into the fascinating intersection of psychology and design. In this article, we will explore the key insights and principles presented in this book.
Yablonski takes us on a journey through twelve captivating chapters, each dedicated to a specific psychological principle. Through a conversational and engaging writing style, the author effortlessly combines psychology with design, making it feel like a friendly chat rather than a technical discourse. From Jakob’s Law to Doherty Threshold, each chapter offers valuable perspectives and actionable advice to create more effective and user-friendly experiences.
Throughout the book, Yablonski showcases numerous real-world examples and relatable scenarios, making the concepts easily understandable and relatable to designers of all levels. By grounding the principles in practical situations, he demonstrates how applying psychological insights can profoundly impact the way users interact with digital products and services.
Now, let’s dive into the captivating chapters of “UX Laws: Using Psychology to Design Better Products and Services” and discover how these principles can transform your design approach, enhance usability, and create meaningful user experiences.
Chapter 1: Jakob’s Law – Creating Familiar User Experiences
In Chapter 1 of the book, Yablonski explores the importance of Jakob’s Law. This law emphasizes the need to design user experiences that are familiar based on established patterns as users spend most of their time on other sites, and they prefer your site to work the same way as all the other sites they already know.
Chapter 2: Fitts’ Law – Target Size and Interactivity
In Chapter 2, he introduces Fitts’ Law, which addresses the relationship between target size and user interaction. The time to acquire a target is a function of the distance to and size of the target. We learn how properly sizing elements in an interface can influence the success of user actions.
Chapter 3: Hick’s Law – Simplifying Choices for Users
In Chapter 3, we dive into Hick’s Law, which explores the concept of cognitive overload and its impact on user decision-making. The time it takes to make a decision increases with the number and complexity of choices available. We understand how simplifying choices and providing clear options can enhance the user experience, exploring strategies to avoid decision paralysis and make interactions more efficient.
Chapter 4: Miller’s Law – Breaking Information into Manageable Parts
Chapter 4 presents Miller’s Law, which highlights the limitations of human working memory. The average person can keep only 7 (± 2) items in their working memory. We discover how breaking information into smaller, more manageable parts can help users process information effectively and explore practical examples that demonstrate dividing extensive forms and complex interfaces into steps or sections.
Chapter 5: Postel’s Law – Flexibility and Tolerance in User Interactions
In Chapter 5 we explore Postel’s Law, which promotes flexibility and tolerance in user interactions. Be conservative in what you do, be liberal in what you accept from others. Designers are encouraged to be empathetic, anticipate user inputs, and provide clear feedback. By embracing this law, designers can create adaptable and inclusive interfaces that can accommodate diverse user behaviors and inputs. This chapter emphasizes the importance of accepting user variability while maintaining usability and system integrity.
Chapter 6: Peak-End Rule – Creating Memorable Moments
Chapter 6 delves into the Peak-End Rule, which highlights people’s tendency to remember and judge experiences based on peak moments and the ending. We discover how to create memorable moments in your interfaces to leave a lasting impression on users and explore examples showcasing how animations, rewards, and special interactions can generate positive emotional peaks.
Chapter 7: Aesthetic-Usability Effect – The Power of Visual Appeal in Design
In Chapter 7, Yablonski explores the Aesthetic-Usability Effect. This effect reveals that users perceive aesthetically pleasing design as more usable. A visually appealing design elicits a positive response in users’ brains, leading them to believe it functions better. However, it’s important to note that visually pleasing design can mask underlying usability issues, potentially hindering their discovery during testing. Balancing aesthetics and usability is crucial for creating impactful designs.
Chapter 8: Von Restorff Effect – Highlighting Important Elements
Chapter 8 explores the Von Restorff Effect, which highlights people’s tendency to remember distinctive elements within a set of similar items. We learn how to visually highlight important elements for better memorization by users and discover how to apply this law to interface design, making crucial information visually prominent and easily noticeable.
Chapter 9: Tesler’s Law – Navigating Complexity in Design
In Chapter 9, he explores Tesler’s Law, which highlights the presence of inherent complexity in systems that cannot be fully eliminated. Designers are advised to address this complexity during the design and development process, aiming to alleviate user burden. However, it is crucial to strike a balance and avoid oversimplifying interfaces to the point of losing essential functionality.
Chapter 10: Doherty Threshold – Optimizing User Interaction Speed
Chapter 10 explores the Doherty Threshold, emphasizing the importance of optimizing interaction speed. Prompt feedback within 400 ms increases productivity and engagement. Techniques like perceived performance, animations, and progress bars reduce the perception of waiting. Surprisingly, adding a slight delay can enhance perceived value and build trust. Optimizing interaction speed leads to satisfying and productive user experiences.
Chapter 11: Ethical Considerations in Design – Beyond Profit
Chapter 11 addresses ethical considerations in design, highlighting the influence of technology on user behavior. We explore the importance of responsible design practices and how to avoid manipulative dark patterns, while discovering the significance of looking beyond profit and considering the ethical impact of our designs.
Chapter 12: Applying Psychological Principles in Design – Best Practices
In Chapter 12, Yablonski provides practical guidance on applying psychological principles in design. We learn how to define our own principles and seamlessly incorporate them into the design process. The chapter emphasizes the significance of creating awareness and visibility while aligning the discussed design principles throughout the book.
Conclusion: An Indispensable Guide for Designers
In conclusion, “UX Laws: Using Psychology to Design Better Products and Services” by Jon Yablonski is an essential guide for designers looking to enhance their creations. With engaging and practical examples, Yablonski demonstrates how to effectively apply psychological principles to design. If you’re a designer seeking valuable insights to improve your skills, make sure not to miss this book.
