The principle of least astonishment
Also known as the “Principle of Least Surprise”, the principle of least astonishment states that a user interface should behave in such a way that users are not surprised by it. That is, the UI should behave as expected, with minimal changes and unexpected behavior. The concept is to avoid surprising users with unexpected changes to the user interface, and instead design the interface to follow a predictable set of rules.
For example, when using a search box, the user should expect that pressing the enter key will submit their query, or that they can click on a search icon to do the same. Any other kind of behavior would be unexpected and would surprise the user. It’s important to design interfaces with the least amount of surprise in order to keep users from becoming frustrated. The less frustrated your users are, the more likely they are to stick around and use your product.
Hick’s Law
This law has major implications for user experience design, as providing too many options or choices can be overwhelming and distracting for users. To avoid this, it is important for UX designers to carefully consider the number of choices presented to a user. In many cases, it may be beneficial to limit the number of options available to a user in order to reduce decision-making time and improve the overall experience.
For example, if you are designing a website with multiple navigation links, you may want to limit them to just a few options. This will help ensure that users are not overwhelmed by too many choices and can quickly find the information they need. Additionally, using clear labels and providing visual cues such as icons or colors can further help simplify the decision-making process.
By understanding Hick’s Law and its implications for UX design, you can create experiences that are more intuitive and user-friendly. By streamlining the decision-making process, you can create an overall better user experience and help users achieve their goals faster and more efficiently.
Gestalt principles
The first principle is the law of figure-ground, which is the recognition of an object's shape in relation to its background. This means that we recognize the object as separate from the background or environment it is in.
The second principle is the law of symmetry. This states that symmetrical patterns tend to be seen as more organized and aesthetically pleasing than asymmetrical ones. Symmetrical elements are also seen as having a relationship with each other, while asymmetrical elements are seen as independent from one another.
The third principle is the law of closure. This states that when elements are presented together and form a complete shape or pattern, even when there are gaps or missing parts, we tend to perceive them as one whole entity.
The fourth principle is the law of proximity. This states that elements that are close together tend to be seen as belonging together. This can be used to group related elements together and help to create a structure for content.
The fifth principle is the law of continuity, which states that elements should be placed in a way that leads the eye along a path. This helps to create a clear flow for the viewer’s eye and aids in understanding the content.
Finally, the sixth principle is the law of common fate, which states that elements that move in the same direction or at the same speed are perceived as belonging together. This can be used to direct attention to certain elements by emphasizing their movement.
These principles can be used by designers to create meaningful and aesthetically pleasing compositions for their designs. By understanding and applying these principles, designers can create engaging and visually appealing designs that users will enjoy interacting with.
The law of common fate
When elements are arranged according to the law of common fate, they are perceived as related, making it easier for users to understand the overall layout and design. The law also provides a visual cue to the user, indicating which elements are related and which are not.For example, if several buttons on a page move in the same direction when clicked, users will instinctively recognize the relationship between them and be able to navigate the page more easily. On the other hand, if the buttons move in different directions or have varying speeds, users may feel confused or disoriented when trying to navigate the page.
The law of closure
This principle is incredibly important for UX design because it means that even when information is incomplete, people are more likely to recognize and understand what is being presented to them. This allows designers to create interfaces and experiences that feel complete even when certain elements are missing.
For example, let’s say you’re designing a web page with several navigation links. You can use the law of closure to make sure that users understand the page by using colors, shapes, and other visual cues to imply a relationship between the links, even if all of the details are not explicitly stated. This helps ensure that users will be able to navigate the page without getting lost.
Another example is how the law of closure applies to mobile app design. Because mobile phones have limited screen sizes, it is not always possible to fit all of the necessary elements onto one screen. By relying on the law of closure, designers can still create an intuitive user experience by implying relationships between elements and presenting only the most essential information.
By understanding the law of closure and how it applies to UX design, designers can create experiences that are intuitive and feel complete, even when some details are left out.
