{"id":186750,"date":"2025-04-04T06:12:44","date_gmt":"2025-04-04T06:12:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/userpilot.com\/blog\/ux-design-principles\/"},"modified":"2026-02-26T09:01:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T09:01:36","slug":"ux-design-principles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/userpilot.com\/blog\/ux-design-principles\/","title":{"rendered":"UX Design Principles: The 10 Rules Behind Products Users Love"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"\" data-start=\"111\" data-end=\"521\">For SaaS businesses, poor <a href=\"https:\/\/userpilot.com\/product\/product-engagement\/\">user experience<\/a> doesn\u2019t just irritate\u2014it drives churn and kills revenue. Meanwhile, an intuitive experience can boost adoption, nurture loyalty, and power long-term growth.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"111\" data-end=\"521\">So, how do you create that \u201ccan\u2019t-live-without-it\u201d product experience?<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In other words, what makes the difference between products people love and interfaces that make users rage-quit? The 10 core principles we\u2019ll cover separate <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/userpilot.com\/blog\/ux-design-examples\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">engaging user experiences<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that feel magical from those that end up as product failures.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But first, a refresher.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>What are design principles in UX?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UX design principles are a set of guidelines that help product teams create user experiences that are intuitive, efficient, and enjoyable. UX design focuses on understanding user needs, behaviors, and motivations to create valuable and usable products.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They\u2019re not hard rules\u2014but they do provide a reliable framework for decision-making when you&#8217;re <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/userpilot.com\/blog\/user-flow-examples\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">designing flows<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, interfaces, or in-app experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basically, these principles help you make smarter design choices, so users don\u2019t get stuck, frustrated, or lost.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>The three pillars of great UX design<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><b>Before we get into the individual UX design principles, it\u2019s worth anchoring everything in three universal UX values: clarity, simplicity, and usability. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These pillars turn design theory into real-world product outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>1. Clarity<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Users should never have to guess what something means or how it works. Clear interfaces communicate purpose, function, and next steps without requiring explanation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Creating products that feel intuitive hinges on understanding the user&#8217;s mental model\u2014their internal representation of how things should work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Great UX answers questions before users need to ask them:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is this?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What can I do here?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What happens next?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>2. Simplicity<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/userpilot.com\/blog\/intuitive-product-design\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">best digital experiences feel effortless<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, reducing cognitive load by showing only what&#8217;s necessary at each step. The goal is to avoid situations that overwhelm users with too much information or too many options.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As Steve Krug famously writes in his influential book: &#8220;If you want to make sure your site or app is easy to use, the most important thing you can do is: <\/span><b>Don&#8217;t make me think!<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>3. Usability<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Usability means designing for how people actually behave, accounting for limitations in attention, memory, and patience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You&#8217;ll find many definitions of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/userpilot.com\/blog\/product-usability\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">usability<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, often breaking it down into attributes like:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Useful:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Does it do something people need done?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Learnable:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Can people figure out how to use it?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Memorable:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Do they have to relearn it each time they use it?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Effective:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Does it get the job done?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Efficient:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Does it do it with a reasonable amount of time and effort?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Desirable:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Do people want it?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Delightful:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Is using it enjoyable, or even fun?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But Krug&#8217;s definition cuts to the heart of it: <\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;A person of average (or even below average) ability and experience can figure out how to use the thing to accomplish something without it being more trouble than it&#8217;s worth.&#8221;<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2><strong>Here\u2019s why everyone has a different UX design principles list<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve Googled \u201cUX design principles\u201d before, you\u2019ve probably seen different versions of the list\u2014some with seven, some with 15, some focused on visual design, others on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/userpilot.com\/blog\/app-onboarding-psychology\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cognitive psychology<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s not a mistake. UX is a broad field that spans multiple disciplines\u2014design, psychology, product management, accessibility, and more. Depending on the context or stage of the UX process, different sources highlight different principles. For example:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Designers might emphasize aesthetics, spacing, and visual hierarchy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Researchers might focus on usability testing and error prevention.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Product teams care more about flows, feature adoption, and retention.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, what&#8217;s the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">right<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> list?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There isn\u2019t one universal answer. But some patterns show up again and again.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Why we chose these 10 UX design principles<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For this guide, we\u2019re focusing on 10 time-tested UX principles drawn from trusted frameworks\u2014like Nielsen Norman Group\u2019s heuristics, human-centered design, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/userpilot.com\/blog\/best-user-onboarding-experience\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">modern SaaS onboarding best practices<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_267955\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-267955\" style=\"width: 1824px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-267955\" src=\"https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/jakob-nielsen___s-10-general-principles-for-interaction-design.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1824\" height=\"1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/jakob-nielsen___s-10-general-principles-for-interaction-design.png 1824w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/jakob-nielsen___s-10-general-principles-for-interaction-design-450x327.png 450w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/jakob-nielsen___s-10-general-principles-for-interaction-design-1024x745.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/jakob-nielsen___s-10-general-principles-for-interaction-design-768x559.png 768w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/jakob-nielsen___s-10-general-principles-for-interaction-design-1536x1117.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1824px) 100vw, 1824px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-267955\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">10 UX design principles for great product experiences.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019ve chosen them because:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2705 They&#8217;re practical and actionable for product and UX designers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2705 They can be directly applied to SaaS onboarding and in-app experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2705 They help product teams <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/userpilot.com\/blog\/user-friction\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reduce friction<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and increase adoption.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This isn\u2019t a theoretical list. It\u2019s a field guide for building better product experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>10 Core UX design principles in SaaS [+ Real-world examples]<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Theory is nice. Application is better. Let&#8217;s see how these principles actually work in the field.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>1: Keep users informed (Visibility of system status)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Users should always know what&#8217;s happening in your product. This means providing clear feedback about:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where are they in the <a href=\"https:\/\/userpilot.com\/blog\/tag\/user-flow-maps\/\">user flow<\/a>?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What actions have they taken?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What&#8217;s happening behind the scenes?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What will happen next?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All of this helps users navigate with confidence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Without <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/userpilot.com\/blog\/progress-bar-ui-ux-saas\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">clear status indicators<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, users get confused, hesitate, and often leave.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>What Slack gets right<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slack shows when someone is typing with animated dots, displays message delivery status, and uses presence indicators (green dot for active users). This keeps users informed about what&#8217;s happening and creates confidence in the system.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_268430\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-268430\" style=\"width: 591px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-268430 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-04-07-at-7.05.16%E2%80%AFPM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"591\" height=\"741\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-04-07-at-7.05.16%E2%80%AFPM.png 591w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-04-07-at-7.05.16%E2%80%AFPM-359x450.png 359w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 591px) 100vw, 591px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-268430\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Clear status indicator in Slack.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A well-timed tooltip or confirmation message can do more than just inform\u2014it can reassure, encourage, and guide users through unfamiliar territory. Even a few words of clear, helpful copy can prevent confusion and keep users moving forward.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-267989\" src=\"https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2025-01-30-at-1.55.30%E2%80%AFPM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1954\" height=\"1133\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2025-01-30-at-1.55.30%E2%80%AFPM.png 1954w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2025-01-30-at-1.55.30%E2%80%AFPM-450x261.png 450w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2025-01-30-at-1.55.30%E2%80%AFPM-1024x594.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2025-01-30-at-1.55.30%E2%80%AFPM-768x445.png 768w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2025-01-30-at-1.55.30%E2%80%AFPM-1536x891.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1954px) 100vw, 1954px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>2: Design for real-world intuition (Match between system and real world)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Design should feel familiar. When your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/userpilot.com\/blog\/user-interface-design\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">user interface<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> mirrors the language, logic, and expectations users have developed from using all the other sites\u2014including their existing knowledge of real life\u2014you dramatically lower the cognitive load it takes to get started.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The more your design reflects how people already think and talk, the more intuitive it feels.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid internal jargon, abstract labels, or overly clever metaphors that make users think \u201ctoo\u201d much before taking an action.<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #e9e5fe; padding: 20px; color: black;\"><b>\ud83d\udca1Expert insight from Amal AlKhatib: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cA big mistake I see is teams designing based on assumptions rather than real user behavior. It\u2019s easy to fall in love with a concept that looks great but doesn\u2019t actually solve a problem. The fix? More user feedback, user research, and more user testing. And also, being open to change.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/userpilot.com\/blog\/ab-testing-product-management\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A\/B testing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, in particular, lets you test variations of in-app messages, tooltips, or onboarding flows to see what resonates best\u2014removing guesswork from UX decisions.. When run regularly, they can help you pinpoint customer pain points and identify opportunities to deliver a smoother experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-268023\" src=\"https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/a_b-testing_saas-product-management.png.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1875\" height=\"1511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/a_b-testing_saas-product-management.png.png 1875w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/a_b-testing_saas-product-management.png-450x363.png 450w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/a_b-testing_saas-product-management.png-1024x825.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/a_b-testing_saas-product-management.png-768x619.png 768w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/a_b-testing_saas-product-management.png-1536x1238.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1875px) 100vw, 1875px\" \/><\/p>\n<h4><strong>What Notion gets right<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Notion uses familiar metaphors like pages, tables, and folders that mimic real-world organization systems. Their drag-and-drop interface for rearranging content mimics how we physically organize documents, making the experience intuitive even for new users.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_268040\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-268040\" style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-268040\" src=\"https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/desktop.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/desktop.png 1920w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/desktop-450x281.png 450w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/desktop-1024x640.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/desktop-768x480.png 768w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/desktop-1536x960.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-268040\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=i&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.notion.com%2Ftemplates%2Fto-do-list-table-with-active-and-recently-completed-tasks&amp;psig=AOvVaw3aVOf3stjbN_bYzB5ArUDv&amp;ust=1743831379567000&amp;source=images&amp;cd=vfe&amp;opi=89978449&amp;ved=0CAMQjB1qFwoTCPCQpKjUvYwDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAR\">Notion<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><strong>3: Empower users (User control and freedom)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Users need to feel in control of the experience. This means:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Making it easy to undo actions.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Providing clear exit points from processes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not forcing users into situations with no way out.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Supporting both forward and backward navigation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>A good <a href=\"https:\/\/userpilot.com\/blog\/user-interface-design\/\">user interface design<\/a> gives users the ability to exit, backtrack, or change direction.<\/b><\/p>\n<h4><strong>What Canva gets right<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mistakes are part of the process, and Canva makes it safe to try, fail, and try again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_268057\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-268057\" style=\"width: 1787px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-268057 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2025-04-03-at-7.53.08%E2%80%AFPM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1787\" height=\"1194\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2025-04-03-at-7.53.08%E2%80%AFPM.png 1787w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2025-04-03-at-7.53.08%E2%80%AFPM-450x301.png 450w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2025-04-03-at-7.53.08%E2%80%AFPM-1024x684.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2025-04-03-at-7.53.08%E2%80%AFPM-768x513.png 768w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2025-04-03-at-7.53.08%E2%80%AFPM-1536x1026.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1787px) 100vw, 1787px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-268057\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Undo your actions effortlessly in Canva.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By making \u201cundo\u201d immediate and effortless, it empowers users to move quickly and confidently without the fear of getting stuck or messing something up permanently. It\u2019s a small feature that makes a big difference in keeping users in flow.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>4: Stay consistent (Consistency and standards)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Users expect visual design, interaction patterns, language, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/userpilot.com\/blog\/navigation-ux\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">navigation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to behave uniformly across the product. Maintain consistency to create predictability, making your product easier to learn and use.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This applies to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visual design (colors, typography, spacing).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Interaction patterns (how buttons behave).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Language and terminology.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Layout and navigation structures.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Users form expectations quickly. When an element behaves differently in different contexts, it creates confusion. So, stick to familiar patterns. Because when your UI behaves the same way across pages, users learn faster and feel more confident.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>What Userpilot gets right<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Userpilot&#8217;s own UI maintains consistent button styles, color coding, and terminology across all features. It maintains consistent styling across all in-app elements\u2014from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/userpilot.com\/blog\/what-are-tooltips\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tooltips<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and modals to checklists and banners. Whether you&#8217;re <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/userpilot.com\/blog\/personalize-user-onboarding-experience\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">onboarding a new user<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or launching a feature update, the look, tone, and interaction patterns stay the same\u2014so users don\u2019t have to re-learn anything.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-268074\" src=\"https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/creating-tooltips.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1470\" height=\"798\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>5: Prevent errors\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good UX anticipates problems before they happen. This means:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eliminating error-prone conditions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asking for confirmation on significant actions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Providing constraints that prevent mistakes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Offering helpful defaults.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s always better to <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prevent<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> errors than to design great error messages.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>What GitHub gets right<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">GitHub makes it hard to accidentally delete your code repositories. Here\u2019s how:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you try to delete a repository, GitHub shows a clear warning in red text. It tells you exactly what you&#8217;ll lose: your code, wiki, issues, comments, and more.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then, GitHub makes you type the exact repository name before you can delete it. The delete button stays grayed out until you get it right.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For popular repositories with lots of stars or forks, GitHub adds extra warnings. They&#8217;ll suggest other options, like giving the repository to someone else instead.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you do make a mistake, GitHub keeps deleted repositories for 90 days. Organization admins can easily restore them.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<figure id=\"attachment_268091\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-268091\" style=\"width: 910px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-268091\" src=\"https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/github-delete-repository-confirm-deletion.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"910\" height=\"710\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/github-delete-repository-confirm-deletion.png 910w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/github-delete-repository-confirm-deletion-450x351.png 450w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/github-delete-repository-confirm-deletion-768x599.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 910px) 100vw, 910px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-268091\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=i&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gitkraken.com%2Flearn%2Fgit%2Fproblems%2Fgithub-delete-repository&amp;psig=AOvVaw3mvYf6Y-jKbhOowqpqYVug&amp;ust=1743831706726000&amp;source=images&amp;cd=vfe&amp;opi=89978449&amp;ved=0CAMQjB1qFwoTCKDs373VvYwDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE\">GitKraken<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><strong>6: Minimize memory load (Recognition over recall)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t make users remember steps, labels, or how a feature worked last time. Keep actions visible and predictable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minimize the user&#8217;s memory load by making objects, actions, and options visible. Users shouldn&#8217;t have to remember information from one part of the interface to another. This means:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Making options visible and discoverable.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using recognition-based interfaces over recall-based ones.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Providing visual cues and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/userpilot.com\/blog\/contextual-help\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">contextual information<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keeping related information together.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The human brain is much better at recognizing things than recalling them from memory.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>What Figma gets right<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Figma&#8217;s design process shows this principle perfectly. Their component library organizes elements visually by category (Brand Assets, UI Components, Helpers, Platform, Mockups) with consistent book icons for easy navigation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead of forcing designers to remember exact color codes, Figma displays color swatches with the hex values (#D8DBE2, #00B2EB, #004AA1) right next to them. UI components like buttons, tabs, and tags appear as visual previews exactly as they&#8217;ll look in the final design.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_268108\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-268108\" style=\"width: 2156px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-268108\" src=\"https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/023869c684ef81e8a34cfdbd623ad2bfa1c54193-2156x1186-_1_.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2156\" height=\"1186\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/023869c684ef81e8a34cfdbd623ad2bfa1c54193-2156x1186-_1_.jpeg 2156w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/023869c684ef81e8a34cfdbd623ad2bfa1c54193-2156x1186-_1_-450x248.jpeg 450w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/023869c684ef81e8a34cfdbd623ad2bfa1c54193-2156x1186-_1_-1024x563.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/023869c684ef81e8a34cfdbd623ad2bfa1c54193-2156x1186-_1_-768x422.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/023869c684ef81e8a34cfdbd623ad2bfa1c54193-2156x1186-_1_-1536x845.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/023869c684ef81e8a34cfdbd623ad2bfa1c54193-2156x1186-_1_-2048x1127.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2156px) 100vw, 2156px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-268108\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=i&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.figma.com%2Fbest-practices%2Fcomponents-styles-and-shared-libraries%2F&amp;psig=AOvVaw02M55i34QSSsmr_k3oIMzO&amp;ust=1743831773988000&amp;source=images&amp;cd=vfe&amp;opi=89978449&amp;ved=0CAMQjB1qFwoTCMCX_NzVvYwDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE\">Figma<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div style=\"background-color: #e9e5fe; padding: 20px; color: black;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83d\udca1<\/span><b>Pro tip<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Run a \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/unalab.enoll.org\/blink-testing\/#:~:text=Users'%20impressions%20of%20your%20product,the%20blink%20of%20an%20eye.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">blink test<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d on your user interface. Can a new user understand what they&#8217;re looking at in the time it takes to blink (about 50 milliseconds)? If not, it&#8217;s time to simplify. Every screen, button, and instruction should guide users forward\u2014especially during onboarding.<\/span><\/div>\n<h3><strong>7: Cater to different skill levels (Flexibility and efficiency)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Different users have different needs. First-timers want hand-holding. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/userpilot.com\/blog\/power-users\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Power users<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> prefer shortcuts. Great UX accommodates <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">both<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s what <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/userpilot.com\/blog\/progressive-disclosure-examples\/\"><b>progressive disclosure<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is all about\u2014only showing advanced options once users are ready for them. It keeps the UI clean without limiting functionality.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This means creating a user interface that:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is easy for beginners to learn.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Offers shortcuts and advanced features for power users.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adapts to different user contexts and needs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allows for personalization and customization.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s an example from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pages.userpilot.com\/surveys\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Userpilot\u2019s survey builder<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: there\u2019s a lot to configure before launching a survey, so the experience is broken into four clear steps. Each step is grouped logically and presented via tabs. This lets users focus on one task at a time without getting lost in the details.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-268125\" src=\"https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/progressive-disclosure-ux-design-principles_b8a9be7471a76209d691bafd712a7c52.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As users gain experience, they should be able to work more efficiently.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>What Asana gets right<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asana offers multiple ways to create tasks: quick-add buttons, keyboard shortcuts (Tab+N), natural language processing for dates (&#8220;tomorrow&#8221;), and bulk creation options. New users can use the visual interface, while power users can work more efficiently with shortcuts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their interface also adapts to usage patterns, bringing frequently used features to the forefront and allowing workspace customization based on team needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_268159\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-268159\" style=\"width: 1775px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-268159\" src=\"https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/rtaImage.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1775\" height=\"973\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-268159\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=i&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fhelp.asana.com%2Fs%2Farticle%2Fhow-asana-works%3Flanguage%3Den_US&amp;psig=AOvVaw1ye3lw4Gc4NceTV0KrxQbJ&amp;ust=1743832077464000&amp;source=images&amp;cd=vfe&amp;opi=89978449&amp;ved=0CAMQjB1qFwoTCKj2oO7WvYwDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAW\">Asana<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><strong>8: Keep it clean (Aesthetic and minimalist design)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Less is more\u2014<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">if<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> what remains is clear and functional. Every extra element in an interface competes for the user&#8217;s limited attention. A good user experience focuses on:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Including only what&#8217;s necessary.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Creating a visual hierarchy that guides attention.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using space effectively to create focus.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eliminating distractions and clutter.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aesthetic designs aren&#8217;t just prettier\u2014they&#8217;re actually more usable because they help users focus on what matters.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>What Linear gets right<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Linear&#8217;s project management interface uses a 24px baseline grid with 16px margins between elements and 32px padding around major content areas. This consistent spacing creates a rhythm that helps users scan information quickly. They limit their color palette to just seven core colors plus four accent colors for status indicators, making the interface feel cohesive.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_268193\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-268193\" style=\"width: 3424px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-268193\" src=\"https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/b90fca6bd22960d513d9ceb6225598c96f03ad37-3424x1920-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"3424\" height=\"1920\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/b90fca6bd22960d513d9ceb6225598c96f03ad37-3424x1920-1.png 3424w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/b90fca6bd22960d513d9ceb6225598c96f03ad37-3424x1920-1-450x252.png 450w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/b90fca6bd22960d513d9ceb6225598c96f03ad37-3424x1920-1-1024x574.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/b90fca6bd22960d513d9ceb6225598c96f03ad37-3424x1920-1-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/b90fca6bd22960d513d9ceb6225598c96f03ad37-3424x1920-1-1536x861.png 1536w, https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/b90fca6bd22960d513d9ceb6225598c96f03ad37-3424x1920-1-2048x1148.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 3424px) 100vw, 3424px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-268193\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=i&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flinear.app%2Fchangelog%2F2022-08-04-project-updates&amp;psig=AOvVaw2i04IMj34agbEQJ6tPVZz9&amp;ust=1743832295969000&amp;source=images&amp;cd=vfe&amp;opi=89978449&amp;ved=0CAMQjB1qFwoTCMjMmNrXvYwDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE\">Linear<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Project cards (like &#8220;LV-223&#8221; and &#8220;Creme Brulee&#8221;) display just essential information: project name, status, assignee, and last update time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Linear uses color with purpose\u2014notice how &#8220;Off track&#8221; appears in red while &#8220;On track&#8221; shows in green, providing instant status recognition. Subtle connecting lines show relationships between projects and teams without cluttering the view.<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #e9e5fe; padding: 20px; color: black;\"><b>\ud83d\udca1 Pro tip: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/userpilot.com\/blog\/inclusive-product-design\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don&#8217;t forget accessible design<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Clean design isn&#8217;t just about looks\u2014it\u2019s also about making sure your interface is usable by everyone. That includes users with motor, cognitive, or visual impairments. Stick to high-contrast colors, readable fonts, and proper semantic structure to ensure your product is inclusive by default.<\/span><\/div>\n<h3><strong>9: Handle errors gracefully (Recognize, diagnose, recover)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When things go wrong, help users understand what happened\u2014and how to fix it. No one wants to see a vague red alert with no guidance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When errors <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">do<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> occur, they should be:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expressed in plain language (not code or jargon).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be precise about what happened.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Constructive in suggesting a solution.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visually distinct but not alarming.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Error states are opportunities to build trust by being helpful and transparent.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>What Gmail gets right<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gmail&#8217;s &#8220;Undo Send&#8221; feature brilliantly implements this principle. After clicking send, Gmail displays a simple &#8220;Message sent&#8221; confirmation with an &#8220;Undo&#8221; button that remains visible for 5-30 seconds (user configurable).<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_268227\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-268227\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-268227\" src=\"https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/dREMtOxJWIoIzyoSwh5sGy4RItCHU5RRFLd4.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"750\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-268227\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">via <a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\/mail\/answer\/2819488?hl=en&amp;co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop\">Gmail Help<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This design acknowledges a common user error\u2014realizing you&#8217;ve made a mistake immediately after sending an email. Instead of making this error permanent, Gmail provides a recovery path that feels natural and helpful.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What makes this feature particularly effective is its simplicity. There&#8217;s no complicated process or explanation needed; users intuitively understand what &#8220;Undo&#8221; means in this context. The temporary nature of the option also creates the right balance between error recovery and moving forward.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>10: Offer on-demand help (Help and documentation)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Users will have questions. Make answers easy to find\u2014without pulling them out of the product experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even the most intuitive interfaces sometimes require assistance. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/userpilot.com\/blog\/user-documentation\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good help and documentation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is easy to search and navigate.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Focuses on users&#8217; actual tasks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lists concrete steps to follow.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is accessible within the flow of work.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Includes visual examples and guides.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The goal is to provide help without interrupting the user&#8217;s workflow.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>What Intercom gets right<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u200b\u200bIntercom integrates contextual help through its Resource Center, providing relevant guides based on where you are in the product. They also use tooltips on complex features that explain functionality without requiring users to leave the current screen.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their documentation includes GIFs and short videos showing exactly how to accomplish specific tasks, rather than just describing them.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_268244\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-268244\" style=\"width: 2468px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-268244\" src=\"https:\/\/blog-static.userpilot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Frame_629885.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"2468\" height=\"1432\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-268244\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=i&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.intercom.com%2F&amp;psig=AOvVaw1F6UgL08C9mLDE5eEcjkTq&amp;ust=1743832562575000&amp;source=images&amp;cd=vfe&amp;opi=89978449&amp;ved=0CAMQjB1qFwoTCPjoudXYvYwDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE\">Intercom<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Want to go deeper? UX design principle resources worth bookmarking<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These resources cut through the noise with substance that actually improves your work:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uxdesign.cc\/\"><b>UX Collective<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>:<\/strong> Raw case studies from designers in the trenches. Learn from their mistakes so you don&#8217;t have to make them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawsofux.com\/\"><b>Laws of UX<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>:<\/strong> Psychological principles that explain why users do what they do, presented without the academic bloat. Immediately applicable.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nngroup.com\/\"><b>Nielsen Norman Group<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>:<\/strong> Research-based articles and reports on usability from established experts in the field.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/userpilot.com\/blog\/?s=UX&amp;header_search=true\"><b>Userpilot\u2019s UX blog<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>:<\/strong> Real-world UX tips, in-app experience strategies, and examples curated for product-led teams.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>UX design principles are guidelines that help you create seamless, efficient, and enjoyable experiences for users. The principles shape the design process and help designers make the right decisions and prioritize user needs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67,"featured_media":267938,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[290],"tags":[446,1035,86,4970,1785,900,201,427,536,851],"class_list":["post-186750","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-updated","tag-customer-experience","tag-customer-loyalty","tag-customer-satisfaction","tag-cx","tag-drive-satisfaction","tag-personalized-user-experience","tag-user-experience","tag-ux","tag-ux-design","tag-ux-designers"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>UX Design Principles: The 10 Rules Behind 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