Who is the author of Laws of UX?

The author of Laws of UX is Jon Yablonski.

Psychology

Laws of UX Book Summary - Laws of UX Book explained in key points

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Laws of UX summary

Name: Laws of UX
Rating: 4.6 (52 reviews)
Author: Jon Yablonski

Jon Yablonski

Design Principles for Persuasive and Ethical Products

4.6 (52 ratings)

15 mins

Brief summary

Laws of UX by Jon Yablonski is a practical guide that explores the principles of user experience design. It offers valuable insights and examples to help designers create effective and intuitive digital experiences.

Topics

Social Psychology Design Thinking Digital Transformation Computer Graphics

Table of Contents

Laws of UX
Summary of 6 key ideas

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Key idea 1 of 6

What’s in it for me? Discover the psychology behind good web design.

What makes a good website? You might think that it’s one of those “I’ll know it when I see it” kind of things. But good web design takes many things into consideration – not the least of which are relevant principles of human psychology and behavioral science.

In each section of this Blink to Jon Yablonski’s Laws of UX, we’ll briefly explain two rules or principles that designers follow to create effective and user-friendly web designs. We’ll look at ten principles altogether, and end on a section that describes how certain design elements have raised ethical dilemmas that need to be considered going forward.

Jakob's Law & Fitts’s Law

Let’s kick things off with two essential principles, Jakob's Law and Fitts's Law, which guide designers in creating user-friendly experiences.

Jakob's Law states that users spend most of their online time on familiar websites and prefer new sites to function similarly. Just like we expect doors to have handles, or light switches to be located by entryways, users expect certain design conventions based on past experiences.

This principle encourages designers to follow conventions, ensuring users can focus on content, messaging, or products rather than struggling with interfaces. Essentially, it's about minimizing mental effort. Designers rely on common patterns like navigation and search bars, making it easier for users to accomplish tasks without relearning everything.

This doesn't mean innovation is discouraged. But when change is necessary, it should align with user needs and context. Testing new designs with users helps ensure they can understand and adapt to the changes.

Fitts's Law, on the other hand, delves into the ease of interaction with on-screen elements. It emphasizes two key factors: the distance to an element and its size. In simpler terms, designers must ensure that interactive elements are easy to tap or click on, regardless of the input device used – be it a desktop screen with a mouse or a touchscreen with a thumb or finger.

To apply Fitts's Law effectively, first make interactive elements like buttons big enough to easily select. Second, provide adequate space between elements to prevent accidental taps or clicks. Third, position interactive elements in a way that users can smoothly access them.

Don’t make the mistake LinkedIn did when they placed the “Accept” and “Deny” buttons too close to each other on their iOS app. Such issues hinder the user experience, especially on mobile devices with limited screen space.

Hick’s Law & Miller’s Law

In the world of web design, Hick's Law and Miller's Law provide invaluable guidance for creating effective digital experiences.

Hick's Law is a principle that emphasizes the importance of simplicity in design. It says the more choices and complexities you present to users, the longer it takes for them to make decisions. Essentially, as a designer, your primary task is to streamline information and simplify the journey to prevent overwhelming users with unnecessary options and steps.

Postel's Law & the peak-end rule

Let’s move on to two more essential principles of effective design: Postel's Law and the peak-end rule.

Postel's Law states that we need to be conservative in what we do and liberal in what we accept from others. This is based on the understanding that users are diverse, occasionally inconsistent, and often driven by emotion. Therefore, design should be reliable and accessible to accommodate this diversity.

The aesthetic-usability effect & the Von Restorff effect

Next up? The aesthetic-usability effect and the Von Restorff effect. Don’t let the complicated-sounding names trip you up – these principles are quite straightforward.

The aesthetic-usability effect highlights the connection between aesthetics and usability. It was coined after studies revealed that people tend to believe attractive designs function better. In short, an aesthetically pleasing design doesn’t just trigger positive emotions – it also enhances cognitive abilities and the perception of usability.

Tesler's Law & the Doherty threshold

Our final two principles, Tesler's Law and the Doherty threshold, offer even more valuable insights into creating efficient and user-friendly interfaces.

Tesler's Law is also known as the law of conservation of complexity. It states that in every system, there’s an element of complexity that can’t be reduced. For our purposes, this addresses a fundamental question: How much complexity should be the burden of users, and how much should be handled by designers and developers?

In pursuit of ethical design

As we’ve seen in the previous sections, the theories and principles of human behavior play a big role in how technology is designed. The result of these practices is that technology can, in turn, shape human behavior in ways that are both intentional and unintentional.

Research has shown that the mere presence of smartphones can reduce cognitive capacity. Meanwhile, social media use is linked to increased depression and loneliness in young adults. Given this knowledge, it’s the designer’s responsibility to create interfaces that are both user-friendly and ethical.

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What is Laws of UX about?

Laws of UX (2020) is a handy guidebook for anyone interested in user experience, or UX – especially as it applies to web or app design. It lays out some of the fundamental rules that inform superior product design and shows how these rules are tied to human psychology.

Laws of UX Review

Laws of UX (2020) is a must-read for anyone interested in creating user-centered digital experiences. Here's why this book stands out:

It provides a comprehensive overview of the essential principles that govern the user experience, enabling designers to create intuitive and effective interfaces.
With its concise explanations and visual examples, the book is highly accessible, making it easy for readers to understand and apply the principles in their own work.
By debunking common myths and exploring real-world case studies, the book goes beyond theory, offering practical insights and guidance that designers can immediately implement.

Who should read Laws of UX?

Web designers and developers
People curious about technology and human behavior
Anyone who’d like to create a better website

About the Author

Jon Yablonski is an American UX designer, frontend web developer, and writer with over a decade of experience in industries ranging from retail to aerospace. He’s also created a variety of digital tools to help designers, including humanebydesign.com and webfieldmanual.com.

Categories with Laws of UX

Psychology Creativity Entrepreneurship

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