UX Design Principles
Great UX isn't accidental. These principles guide the creation of products people love to use.
1. User-Centered Design
Design for users, not at them.
Research first: Understand user needs, goals, and pain points before designing.
Involve users: Test with real users throughout the process, not just at the end.
Empathy: See the product through users' eyes, not your own.
2. Simplicity
"Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
- Remove unnecessary features
- Clear visual hierarchy
- Obvious navigation
- Minimize cognitive load
Every element should earn its place.
3. Consistency
Users shouldn't have to relearn your interface.
Internal consistency: Same patterns throughout your product.
External consistency: Follow platform conventions users already know.
Predictability: Similar elements should behave similarly.
4. Feedback
- What's happening: Loading states, progress indicators
- What happened: Confirmations, success messages
- What went wrong: Clear, helpful error messages
Never leave users wondering if their action worked.
5. Accessibility
- Color contrast for visibility
- Screen reader compatibility
- Keyboard navigation
- Clear, readable text
- Don't rely on color alone
Accessibility often improves usability for everyone.
6. Forgiveness
Users make mistakes. Help them recover.
- Undo functionality
- Confirmation for destructive actions
- Clear "back" navigation
- Helpful error messages
- Auto-save
7. Progressive Disclosure
Don't overwhelm users. Show basic options first; advanced features on demand.
Example: Google's search page is a single box. Advanced search is available but not prominent.
8. Hick's Law
More options = longer decisions. Limit choices to reduce cognitive load.
Example: Restaurant menus with fewer items often lead to happier customers.
The Goal
Good UX is invisible. Users accomplish their goals without thinking about the interface.
Related Reading
Listen to the Full Course
Master UX principles in UX Basics.