UX Law & Usability Heuristics
How do you explain your job to someone who doesn't understand design?
UX laws are a collection of principles based on psychology, design, and human behavior that guide the creation of user-friendly and effective designs. These laws help designers understand how users think, behave, and interact with products, allowing them to create interfaces that feel natural and intuitive
Why Are UX Laws Important?
UX laws provide a framework for designing experiences that align with how users naturally think and behave. By applying these principles, you can create interfaces that feel intuitive, reduce frustration, and improve overall user satisfaction. These laws bridge the gap between human psychology and design, ensuring your product works for the people who use it.
Let’s discuss about 10 UX Laws
1. Hick’s Law
The time it takes to make a decision increases with the number of choices available. To avoid overwhelming users, provide a clear and concise set of options.
Example: "Simplifying a navigation menu improves usability by reducing choice overload."
2. Fitts’ Law
The time to click a target depends on its size and distance.
Example: "Place frequently used buttons (e.g., “Submit”) larger and closer to the user’s focus area."
3. Miller’s Law
People can only hold about 7 (plus or minus 2) items in their short-term memory.
Example: "Break complex tasks into smaller steps or group information into chunks."
4. Jakob’s Law
Users prefer interfaces that are familiar to them. Designers can follow established design patterns and conventions to make it easier for users to navigate.
Example: "E-commerce websites often look similar to make navigation easier for users."
5. Law of Proximity
Designers can use clear structure and visual hierarchy to help users easily recognize and react to information.
Example: "Group related form fields together to make the form easier to understand."
6. Tesler’s Law
Every system has a certain amount of complexity that cannot be removed, but it can be managed.
Example: "Simplify workflows by automating complex tasks in the background."
7. Aesthetic-Usability Effect
Users are more likely to trust and use a product that looks visually appealing.
Example: "A clean, attractive layout can make users feel the product is easier to use."
8. Goal Gradient Effect
People are more motivated to complete a task as they get closer to the finish line.
Example: "Use progress indicators in multi-step processes, like showing “Step 3 of 5” during account setup, to encourage users to complete the process."
9. Zeigarnik Effect
People remember incomplete or interrupted tasks better than completed ones.
Example: "Show progress bars to encourage users to finish tasks like filling out a form."
10. Doherty Threshold
If the system responds within 400ms, users stay engaged and feel the interaction is smooth.
Example: "Optimize load times for better user satisfaction."
Check my real world usability analysis
Today I will go through “Loom” and talk about it’s UX law and Usability Heuristics. It’s a Free screen recorder for Mac and PC