To Hide or Not To Hide? Hiding vs Disabling Features

When designing interfaces, we often face the critical conundrum of whether to hide features or disable them. This can often be a tricky decision, as it ultimately shapes how users interact with our designs, impacts usability, and contributes to the overall clarity of the interface. The answer often lies in striking the perfect balance between functionality and clarity. We must […]

Tips for Designing Great Financial Apps

Wouldn’t it be nice to open your banking app and feel a sense of calm and control instead of the usual dread? This is the magic of incorporating psychology into financial UX design. Banks and fintech companies are in fierce competition to outdo each other with innovative features. Users, having experienced the convenience of top-notch products in other domains, now […]

Essential Techniques for Kerning and Leading

When Airbnb redesigned their interface in 2014, one of the standout improvements was their approach to typography. They introduced a custom typeface, “Airbnb Cereal,” and adjusted kerning and leading to enhance readability across various devices. This attention to typographic detail played a significant role in improving the overall user experience, making information easier to digest and navigate . Similarly, in […]

Why Dark Mode is (and isn’t) Your Ally

Dark mode, a popular feature in modern digital interfaces, often sparks debates about its necessity and effectiveness. While many users prefer dark mode, truly understanding its impact on user satisfaction and behaviour requires a nuanced approach. This article explores the reasons why users are drawn to dark mode, the psychological and research-based factors behind its use, potential challenges, and best […]

The Three Pillars of Delight: Framework for Designing Interfaces Users Love

As UX professionals we strive not just for usability but for experiences that venture beyond functionality and resonate on a deeper emotional level.  This is where the concept of delight takes centre stage. Delight is that spark of joy or satisfaction that elevates user interaction from the mundane to the truly engaging. But delight isn’t a singular entity; it can […]

The Science of One-Handed Interaction: Mastering Bottom Navigation on Mobile

The smartphone revolution has fundamentally reshaped how we consume information and interact with the digital world. Unlike expansive desktops with precise mouse clicks, mobile interfaces must cater to a single, dominant input: the thumb.  This ergonomic reality has a profound impact on design decisions, influencing everything from button placement to information hierarchy.  In this context, bottom navigation emerges as a […]

The Psychology of Empty States and Why They Matter

Empty states, once relegated to the realm of afterthoughts in the realm of UX design, have undergone a reevaluation.  Now recognised as critical touchpoints within the user journey, these seemingly blank spaces hold immense power to shape user perception and behaviour.   Scientific research across various disciplines informs our understanding of how empty states can influence us.  Studies in Gestalt psychology […]

The Science of Designing Effective Error Messages

We’ve all experienced the focused intensity of tackling an online task, fingers flying across the keyboard in pursuit of swift completion. Then, it hits you: a glaring error message. Confusion sets in – a typo on your end, a system hiccup, or some cryptic code only machines understand? Error messages can make or break a user’s experience. In fact, a […]

The Allure of the Invisible: Don Norman and the Power of Seamless Design

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology and human interaction, design plays a crucial role in shaping our experiences. Don Norman, a renowned design critic and cognitive scientist, offers a compelling perspective on what truly sets exceptional design apart. His theory of “invisible design” delves beyond aesthetics and functionality, proposing that the most successful designs fade into the background, becoming effortless […]