We have seen dramatic changes take place with websites and web applications over the years. Industry methodologies and technologies are the two contributing factors for these changes. A one-way static medium has now developed into a rich and well-defined experience for users around the globe.
The production process has undergone major changes, but a website’s success is still dependent upon how users perceive it. Is the site easy to use? Does the site provide exceptional value? Does this website offer a pleasant experience? These are the normal questions that surface within the mind of our customers when they are introduced to our products. The answers to these questions will decide if they become loyal customers.
User experience design focuses on making customers intrigued and happy with our products. User experience should also motivate customers to say yes to the questions above. This simple guide was written to help you understand the professional discipline of UX design. Popular web-based systems such as applications and websites were taken into consideration at the time of writing this guide.
Table of contents
What is User Experience?
User experience is how a user feels when he or she interfaces with a system. The system could be desktop software, an application, or a website. The user experience definition is related to some form of human and computer interaction (HCI).
Visualize a website with a magnificent full-screen image that contains a visible button that leads visitors to pages that contain well-written and adaptive content. The navigation works well across various devices as it switches smoothly from a horizontal menu to a mobile menu within a matter of moments. Unfortunately, many potential customers in Africa will not be able to use it. They do not have sufficient bandwidth.
Does this mean our business model has failed? No, the scope of our virtual business model is extensive and provides excellent results.
Master the art of user experience with these essential UX resources.
Why is UX vital?
The growing popularity of user-centered design makes it extremely important for us to concentrate on enhancing user experience. We could simply state that UX experience is vital because it deals with the needs of our users. This statement would probably be accepted by everyone.
Everyone who has worked in the web design industry before the emergence of codification of user-centered design, usability, and web-accessibility know that websites were made differently in the past. We knew the true value of user-centered design. Our design decisions were based on two important factors: what we thought was amazing and we thought the client wanted to see.
We designed for ourselves. We knew this approach would help us produce effective interaction. Our focus was on the brand and aesthetics.
We did not have any guidelines. The final results were impressive. We also knew what our customers wanted.
Deepen your UX expertise with these recommended resources:
- User Experience Design – Definition, Importance And Things To Know
- What Are The Principles Of Interaction Design
- UX is Not Design
- Designing Sites And Apps To Match User Expectations
- Usability Vs. User Experience
- The Role Of User Experience In Agile Development
Interaction Design Patterns
An interaction design pattern is a total sum of what worked extremely well in the past. Interaction design patterns highlight the best practices of the interactive experience. For example, Norm Cox created the hamburger icon for Xerox.
It was one of the first graphical interfaces to surface in the market. It also became extremely popular after the emergence of the smartphone and the need to save important screen space. The hamburger icon is now used to represent a menu on some responsive smartphone and mobile web applications
Using an established design pattern provides many outstanding benefits. Patterns provide a common language for teams. They are also great at helping developers distill the collective wisdom and testing of past products. Design patterns lower product development time and cost significantly. They also provide optimum user experience consistently. Access to interaction design patterns makes the process of designing an interface much easier.
We cannot make the mistake of overestimating design patterns. Design specialists stated that it would be a huge mistake to copy the hamburger icon. You should undergo the process of testing and coding. Intensive research can help one determine if there is a science to validate the design.
What are the Specific Advantages of Using UX Design?
It would be very easy for one to say that all web systems would benefit from a thorough evaluation and design of user experience. User experience makes it extremely difficult for one to oppose that view, but we do not have an infinite supply of resources.
We do not live in a perfect world. We must focus on the areas that will benefit the most from exceptional UX design and talented UX designers.
Uncover the secrets of UX Design with these informative resources:
- Importance Of E-commerce User Experience And Usability
- How To Get Your Users To Sign Up
- Why Do You Need A Custom 404 Page
- How to use UX design to improve conversions over 82%
- How User Experience Plays A Significant Role In Premium Websites
- Design Better Products By Understanding Your Users
- How You Can Improve User Login Experience
- To Paginate Or Scroll?
- How To Design A UX-Driven Mockup
- Keep Your Digital Project On Track With Usability Review
- Improving Customer Loyalty Through User Experience
Using Best Practices in a Responsible Manner
Image source: Anton Aheichanka
Best practices, templates, and patterns are well-known for delivering a repeatable process in an efficient manner. Firms are now focused on projects that will suit the needs of their users. This trend will push for a need to find cheaper, better, and faster methods to incorporate excellent UX in future projects.
One must know how to bend the rules and apply the best practices of user experience when it comes to delivering a cost-effective user experience.
Here is a close look at a few tips that can help UX professionals use best practices effectively:
Study current design trends. Sources like this blog are great places that can help you stay in touch with the market. What is force laying behind the trend? Is the trend unveiling a unique or new user experience lesson? Answering these questions intelligently can help you become a trendsetter.
Learn how to interpret platform specific interaction guidelines. The Human Interface Guidelines is a great place to start. You will attain vital knowledge about iOS guidelines. The Human Interface Guidelines also helps developers break old standards that have lost effectiveness.
Learn how to balance the advantages of best practice, patterns, and the value of a higher-touch solution. It would be a grave mistake to create bespoke solutions. This is the primary reason why the impact to consumers and business should be taken seriously while considering time or cost savings for projects.
Take the concept of engagement into consideration. One way of addressing the concept of engagement is through the idea of flow. Flow is the ability to establish engagement and add significant depth to the user’s experience.
This is accomplished with clear feedback, responsiveness, and clear information architecture. Meeting distinct challenges with skills and providing a low amount of distractions are two more important components that play a big role in this process.
Creating a positive experience for users will never revolve around having best practices. Putting those practices in the right hands will always produce great results.
Mobile UX Best Practices
Interested in learning about the best ways to make mobile apps easy to use? Take a look at our list of selected blogs. They’re full of ideas to inspire you when designing mobile app experiences.
- The Basics Of A Great Mobile User Experience
- Designing For Mobile UX – Best Practices
- The Key Elements Of Mobile UX
Dive deeper into the world of User Experience design with these helpful resources:
- How To Improve Website Usability
- How You Can Create A Better User Experience
- How To Improve Usability In Web Design
- What Is Guerilla User Testing And How It Can Help Improve Usability
UX Animations For Design
Check out how animations can help improve user experience:
- How To Use Animations To Improve User Experience
- How To Improve Your UX-Driven Designs With Functional Animations
Like this post? Check out more amazing web design content here.
Credit for featured image: Waseem Arshad
