UX Design
What are the seven heuristics in UX design?
Principles
Heuristics are general principles or guidelines that help designers create effective user interfaces. They are designed to provide a framework for evaluating the usability of a design and identifying areas for improvement.
There are many heuristics in UX design, but the seven most widely used are:
Visibility of System Status: This heuristic refers to providing clear and continuous feedback to users about the system's current status, so that users know what is happening and what to expect. This helps to avoid confusion and frustration among users.
Match between the System and the Real World: This heuristic requires the design to follow real-world conventions, making it easy for users to understand and use the interface. This makes the interface more intuitive and user-friendly.
User Control and Freedom: This heuristic gives users control over their interactions with the interface and the ability to undo or redo their actions. This creates a sense of control and reduces anxiety and frustration among users.
Consistency and Standards: This heuristic refers to the use of consistent language, icons, and design patterns throughout the interface. This creates a predictable and familiar environment for users, making navigating and using the interface easier.
Error Prevention: This heuristic focuses on designing interfaces that prevent errors from occurring in the first place. This can be done by providing clear and understandable error messages and making it difficult for users to perform actions that could result in errors.
Recognition Rather than Recall: This heuristic refers to designing interfaces that require minimal memory and cognitive load on the user's part. This can be achieved by providing clear and concise instructions, using familiar and understandable language, and reducing the need for users to remember information.
Flexibility and Efficiency of Use: This heuristic refers to designing interfaces that cater to both novice and experienced users. This can be achieved by providing shortcuts and advanced features for experienced users while keeping the interface simple and easy for novices.
In conclusion, these seven heuristics provide a valuable framework for evaluating and improving the usability of user interfaces. By adhering to these principles, designers can create interfaces that are intuitive, user-friendly, and effective. However, it's important to keep in mind that these heuristics are not exhaustive and may need to be adapted to suit the specific needs of a particular project or user group.
Author: Mugs (Mugunthan Balakrishnan)