User Experience Design Principles For Satisfied Users

Product managers & designers working with AI face a unique challenge: designing a delightful product experience that cannot fully be predicted. Traditionally, product development followed a linear path. A PM defines the problem, a designer draws the solution, and the software teams code the product. The outcome was largely predictable, and the user experience was consistent. However, with AI, the rules have changed. Non-deterministic ML models introduce uncertainty & chaotic behavior. The same question asked four times produces different outputs. Asking the same question in different ways - even just an extra space in the question - elicits different results. How does one design a product experience in the fog of AI? The answer lies in embracing the unpredictable nature of AI and adapting your design approach. Here are a few strategies to consider: 1. Fast feedback loops : Great machine learning products elicit user feedback passively. Just click on the first result of a Google search and come back to the second one. That’s a great signal for Google to know that the first result is not optimal - without tying a word. 2. Evaluation : before products launch, it’s critical to run the machine learning systems through a battery of tests to understand in the most likely use cases, how the LLM will respond. 3. Over-measurement : It’s unclear what will matter in product experiences today, so measuring as much as possible in the user experience, whether it’s session times, conversation topic analysis, sentiment scores, or other numbers. 4. Couple with deterministic systems : Some startups are using large language models to suggest ideas that are evaluated with deterministic or classic machine learning systems. This design pattern can quash some of the chaotic and non-deterministic nature of LLMs. 5. Smaller models : smaller models that are tuned or optimized for use cases will produce narrower output, controlling the experience. The goal is not to eliminate unpredictability altogether but to design a product that can adapt and learn alongside its users. Just as much as the technology has changed products, our design processes must evolve as well.

Have you ever stopped to think about why a simple loading animation can make you smile or how a smooth page transition makes you feel more confident in a website? There's a fascinating science behind it all – the psychology of motion. We are hardwired to notice movement. It's a survival instinct, honed over millennia to detect predators, prey, and potential threats. But in the digital realm, designers can harness this primal response to create captivating user experiences. How does it work? ✦ Attention-grabbing: Motion instantly captures our attention, directing our focus to specific elements on a screen. A subtle animation or a well-timed transition can pull users into your content and make them want to explore further. ✦ Visual hierarchy: By strategically using motion, you can guide users through your interface, highlighting important information and calls to action. Think of it as a visual roadmap, leading users on a seamless journey through your product. ✦ Emotional engagement:  Motion isn't just about visual appeal; it can evoke emotions and create deeper connections with users. A joyful bounce animation can spark delight, while a smooth transition can instill a sense of calm and trust. ✦ Cognitive fluency: Motion can make complex information more accessible. Animated diagrams, graphs, or interactive elements can break down abstract concepts into digestible pieces, improving user comprehension and engagement. But how can you apply this knowledge to your UX design? - Start with a purpose: Every animation should have a clear goal. Are you trying to grab attention, guide users, evoke emotions, or explain complex information? - Keep it subtle:  Too much motion can be overwhelming. Use subtle animations to enhance the experience, not distract from it. - Consider the context: The type of motion you use should align with your brand's personality and the overall tone of your product. - Test and iterate: Gather feedback from users to see how they respond to your animations. Refine your designs based on their input to create a truly delightful experience. By understanding the psychology of motion and using it strategically, you can create user experiences that are not only visually appealing but also intuitive, engaging, and emotionally resonant. What are some of the most memorable uses of motion you've encountered in digital products (websites or mobile apps)? Share your thoughts in the comments! #motiondesign #uxdesign #psychology #userexperience #ui

For a long time, I resisted boiling my guidance on interface writing down to a set of “principles”, because context matters so much, and design principles are often misunderstood and misapplied. But then I started teaching a UX writing course, and, well, I needed a set of principles. I found that many lists of UX writing principles focus on qualities of the writing itself, such as concision, friendliness, or formality. Those types of things tend to exist on a spectrum, and are informed by context, so I don’t find it valuable to provide overarching guidance about them. Instead, I've tried to create a list that's more about how to approach your work as an interface writer. As I'm fond of saying, best practices are a last resort. The meta principle not articulated in this list is that you should always apply your best judgment as a professional craftsperson. But anyway, here’s what I’ll be sharing in class later today: I. Prioritize Usability Your words should help users accomplish what they are there to accomplish. II. Work, and Write, Incrementally Follow the ‘Rule of One’. One task per screen. One idea per headline or paragraph. One action that a button performs. One setting that a checkbox controls. III. Prefer Consistent Terminology When you choose words for buttons, menus, and controls, you are, in a way, naming them. Names should stay the same throughout the experience. For instance, ‘Settings’ should always be ‘Settings’, and not also ‘Preferences’. (This is a good rule to break, however, if using the exact same term would be confusing in a specific instance.) IV. Be Specific Using specific words for paths and actions builds trust with your users. For instance: Clone, Copy, Duplicate, and Make a Copy are related, but not perfect synonyms. Using the most specific word possible for an action helps you avoid conflicts with other terms. V. Rely on Patterns Unlike most writing, it’s okay to repeat yourself in interface copy.  In the same way that a design system has visual and layout patterns for common components, your writing can and should use similar patterns for similar actions and activities. -- There’s more to it than that, of course, but those will get you pretty far.

Design decisions benefit more from behavioral user experience metrics. Involving your audience in the design process gives you real-time feedback on key aspects of their experience. Tools like Helio can help you capture valuable insights that improve your business KPIs, guided by user experience metrics. Using usability tests and surveys lets you quickly gather qualitative and quantitative user feedback. Behavioral data collected early in the design process helps you understand a design's success. Emotional indicators are usually trailing, as confusion or lack of clarity can lead to drops in sentiment and feelings. Here’s the user feedback you can collect to help refine your design decisions with stakeholders: Usability → Makes sure users can easily and quickly use the product to do what they want. Comprehension → Ensures users understand the product, how it works, and what it can do for them. Engagement → Tracks how often and how long users interact with the product, showing their interest and involvement. Desirability → Checks how attractive and appealing the product is to users, affecting their initial and ongoing interest. Viability → This examines whether the design is practical, sustainable, and aligned with business goals for long-term success. Completion → Measures how often users successfully finish tasks or reach goals, showing how effective the product is. Sentiment → Collects overall feelings and attitudes about the product to understand user satisfaction and loyalty. Feeling → Describes users' emotions when using the product, which can affect their overall experience and willingness to stick around. Response Time → Measures how quickly users responds, affecting user satisfaction and perceived performance. Reaction → Captures users' immediate emotional responses, providing quick insights into their first impressions and perceptions. Considering user experience in each design decision offers many benefits: It makes decisions clearer for stakeholders, speeds up decision-making, quickly identifies user pain points, and establishes a baseline for ongoing improvement. We use these metrics to help us improve business results using iterative design and continuous research. What are your thoughts? #productdesign #productdiscovery #userresearch #uxresearch

🌀Design 4 Clarity: Avoiding 'Norman Doors' and Embracing Poka-Yoke Principles We’ve all seen the Farside cartoon where the little boy pushes on the ‘pull’ door to enter the ‘School for the Gifted.” Why does that happen? In design, simplicity is critical. A well-designed product should instantly convey its purpose and functionality through its design. This concept is known as "affordance." Look at the illustration below. What happens when design falls short, and users are left guessing? Let’s explore the importance of affordances, the infamous "Norman doors," and how embracing Poka-Yoke principles can elevate design. Key Points: 1.    Affordance in Design: 🔹Affordance is an object's inherent characteristics that suggest how it should be used. 🔹Good design should make an object's purpose evident, eliminating the need for trial and error. 🔹Recessed buttons, sticking-out dials, and toggle switches are examples of clear affordances. 2.    The "Norman Doors": 🔹Don Norman, a renowned design thinker, emphasizes intuitive design, especially for doors. 🔹Poorly designed doors that require instructional signage have come to be known as "Norman doors." 🔹Design should not demand additional explanation; it should be self-explanatory. 3.    Embracing Poka-Yoke Principles: 🔹In design, Poka-Yoke, or mistake-proofing, is the key to avoid confusion and enhance user experience. 🔹Poka-Yoke principles use design cues to guide users and prevent unintended mishaps. 🔹The goal is to create products that make interactions seamless and error-free, ensuring user satisfaction. ♦️ Here is an article I wrote with a fabulous example of Poka-Yoke. https://lnkd.in/g79JfwZb Conclusion: We experience bad design so often today. That’s why design principles like affordance and poka-yoke are crucial. From physical objects to digital interfaces, design should be intuitive, eliminating confusion. By embracing Poka-Yoke principles alongside affordances, we can create products that make interactions seamless, frustration-free, and intuitive. References: ▪️"The Design of Everyday Things" by Don Norman ▪️Illustration. By Sketchplanations #ikigai #purpose #socialcapital

💖 Emotional Design: Crafting Experiences That Resonate 🎨 🔍 Introduction: Emotional design is about more than just aesthetics; it's about creating products that resonate with users on an emotional level. This approach focuses on making users feel understood, valued, and delighted, ultimately enhancing their overall experience and loyalty. 📱 Example of Emotional Connection: Consider Apple products. Beyond their sleek design and advanced technology, what sets them apart is the emotional connection they foster with users. Whether it's the joy of unboxing an iPhone or the seamless experience across devices, Apple has mastered the art of creating products that people love and cherish. 📐 Principles of Emotional Design: 1. Aesthetic Usability Effect: Attractive designs are perceived as easier to use. A beautiful interface can make a product feel more intuitive and enjoyable. 2. Human Touch: Adding human-like elements, such as friendly language or relatable animations, makes interactions feel more personal and engaging. 3. Consistency: Consistent design elements create familiarity and comfort, which can evoke positive emotions and build trust. 💡 Strategies for Incorporating Emotional Elements: 1. Use Visual Appeal: Invest in high-quality visuals and a cohesive design language that evokes the desired emotions. 2. Tell a Story: Incorporate storytelling into your design to connect with users on a personal level. This can be through the product’s history, values, or the community it serves. 3. Engage the Senses: Utilize subtle animations, sounds, or haptic feedback to make interactions more immersive and memorable. 4. Personalization: Customize experiences based on user preferences and behaviors to make them feel valued and understood. 🔍 Conclusion: The power of emotion in design cannot be overstated. By tapping into the emotional aspect of user experience, designers can create products that not only function well but also build deep, lasting connections with users. This emotional resonance fosters loyalty, enhances satisfaction, and ultimately leads to a more successful product. Start infusing your designs with emotional elements today and watch as your products transform from good to unforgettable! #EmotionalDesign #UXDesign #UserExperience #DesignThinking

As founders, we know that the journey to build a platform isn’t just about creating something that looks good. It’s about building something that feels intuitive, earns trust, and drives value from the first click. Let me share the thought process behind Wokka’s landing page carousel and how these principles can resonate with every founder’s mission. ✅ Creating a Bold, Recognizable Brand The orange-yellow color scheme isn’t just eye-catching—it’s designed to be memorable and relatable. In a crowded digital space, brand recognition can be everything. For founders, creating a unique color identity isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a strategic move to stand out, stick in users’ minds, and build emotional connections. ✅ Making Booking Simple (Because Simplicity Sells) The easier it is for users to achieve their goal, the more likely they’ll keep coming back. With Wokka, users can find, book, and connect with professionals in just a few taps. For us, this means fewer steps, more conversions, and higher satisfaction. For you, simplicity means higher retention rates and a lower churn rate—a true competitive advantage. ✅ Designing for Trust with Security Front and Center Trust is our platform’s backbone, and it should be for yours too. From secure payment options to authentication measures, we’ve made security a seamless part of the user experience. As founders, our users trust us with more than their transactions—they trust us with their data and their loyalty. Investing in security from day one is key to long-term growth. ✅ Seamless Consistency Across Devices: Users should feel at home on your platform, whether they’re on mobile or desktop. This kind of consistency doesn’t just make the experience smoother; it boosts credibility and confidence. When users know they can expect the same polished experience on any device, they’re more likely to see you as reliable and worth sticking with. That’s loyalty earned through design. Our landing page isn’t just a pretty face—it’s a strategic powerhouse. Each design decision aligns with a core goal: to build trust, simplify interactions, and foster loyalty. If you’re building your own platform, remember that design isn’t just “decoration”; it’s your silent partner in achieving sustainable growth and user loyalty. Swipe through our carousel to see how Wokka brings this vision to life! ⬇️ Check the Dribbble Link: https://lnkd.in/gSCfa-Hv