Struggling with user retention, friction, or product confusion? You probably don’t need another list of UX laws. Instead, it’s time to revisit and apply the UX principles you already know — the ones you’re ignoring every day.
The Real UX Problem Isn’t Ignorance — It’s Compromise
Designers and product teams don’t break UX laws because they don’t know them. They break them because applying them feels inconvenient.
- Feedback: You know users need it, but developers leave it out to meet deadlines.
- Jakob’s Law: You value familiarity, but stakeholders want to stand out at all costs.
- Error prevention: You advocate for it, but it’s pushed aside to accelerate shipping.
“Design isn’t just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” — Steve Jobs
5 UX Principles You’re Still Ignoring
- Feedback Is Not Optional
Why it matters: Every user interaction demands a response — whether it’s visual, auditory, or haptic. Common failure: Silent forms, invisible buttons, no success confirmation after saving data. - Progressive Disclosure Prevents Cognitive Overload
Users shouldn’t face every option upfront. By revealing features gradually, you help users focus and succeed. Common failure: Settings menus that show 30+ toggles at once. - Cognitive Load Should Be Minimized
The brain can only process a limited amount of information. Every extra element adds friction and decision fatigue. Common failure: Complex dashboards trying to be everything at once. - Natural Mapping Enhances Usability
Controls should behave as expected — horizontally for width, vertically for height. Misaligned mappings confuse users. Common failure: A horizontal slider used to control vertical scrolling or height. - User Control Must Be Intentional
Give users clear exits, undo options, and control over actions. Remove friction and frustration. Common failure: Modals with no escape key, auto-submitting forms, and dead-end flows.
Great UX Is Law-Abiding UX
Products like Notion, Spotify, and Google Maps succeed not because they’re trendy — but because they apply core UX principles with consistency and care.
Know the UX Law You’re About to Break
Before your next design compromise, ask yourself:
“Which UX principle am I ignoring — and what will it cost the user?”
Because most bad UX doesn’t stem from bad ideas — but from ignoring good ones.
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