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Writer's pictureNell Rodney

10 Tips for Designing User-Friendly Interfaces: Unlocking the Power of Heuristics



Photo displaying MacBook and iPhone. iPhone screen shows Facebook
Image by Timothy Hales Bennett on Unsplash



Heuristics - an intriguing concept! “What’s that?” That was my initial reaction upon encountering the term. It exuded sophistication and complexity but, essentially, heuristics can be equated to principles or guidelines. In the realm of UX design, there exist ten crucial ones.


In 1990, Jakob Nielsen and Rolf Molich introduced ten invaluable principles to steer designers in creating user-friendly interfaces. These heuristics (or principles or guidelines) complement the existing design principles across various disciplines such as architecture, graphic design, fashion design, typographic design, and product design.


Let's delve into these sophisticated guidelines and explore their role in evaluating usability and shaping the user experience.



1. Visibility of system status.


Screen recording taken by author to illustrate how Shazam keeps users informed when listening for music.
Screen recording by author illustrates how Shazam keeps users informed when listening for music.

Users must be consistently kept informed in real-time. Providing sufficient and fitting feedback will instill confidence in users that they are on the right track, ensuring that the results of their actions align with their expectationss. Feedback must be provided promptly - ideally immediately after the user's interaction. Any delay could lead the user to believe they have made an error.



2. Match between system and the real world.


Designers must not assume that users are well-versed in industry jargon and technical terms. It is crucial to utilize familiar concepts, images, icons, phrases, and terms to enhance user understanding.


Take this for example , the credit card graphic on Amazon closely mirrors the credit card in my wallet. The payment details needed to finalize a purchase on the platform perfectly resemble a real-world credit card, enabling me to provide them swiftly and accurately.



3) User control and freedom.


Screenshot taken by author displaying Canva’s implemetation of User Control and Freedom.
Screenshot by author displays Canva’s implemetation of User Control and Freedom.

Empower users with full control over the system. This empowerment fosters a sense of freedom and confidence, enabling users to engage with the system without the fear of repercussions for any missteps. By incorporating visible elements like a back button, cancel button, undo button, redo button, exit button, and more, users are reassured of their autonomy in navigating the system. Take Canva, for instance, which grants users the ability to resize documents, undo or redo actions, edit images, and more. Users can operate seamlessly without concerns about potential errors.



4) Consistency and standards.


Design elements must be consistent across the entire design system. Fonts, colors, button shapes and sizes, layouts, and formats should maintain a unified appearance from the home screen to the settings screen. Users rely on this consistency to navigate comfortably and efficiently. Avoid causing confusion or making users feel like they have unexpectedly switched to a different platform. Inconsistencies are unacceptable. Any deviation from a consistent design may lead users to feel uneasy or even threatened by a potential danger.



5) Error prevention.


An effective design solution ensures users steer clear of error-prone situations. As designers, we achieve this by providing meticulous system requirements and promptly verifying them. This proactive approach prevents users from making mistakes and encountering the dreaded red error messages. In most applications, mandatory fields are denoted by asterisks.



6) Recognition rather recall.


Screenshot taken by author displaying Amazon’ implementation of Recognition rather than Recall.
Screenshot by author displays Amazon’s implementation of Recognition rather than Recall.

The user shouldn’t be expected to rely on their memory to perform certain tasks. Make elements, actions, and options visible. Allow users to retrieve information they’ve already provided. Reduce your users’ cognitive load by showing them instead of asking them to remember. In the above image, Amazon allowed me to view items I’ve previously bought, viewed, or even considered.



7) Flexibility and efficiency of use.


Screenshot of website taken by author to illustrate the various ways users may copy an element using a MacBook.
Screenshot by author illustrates the various ways users may copy an element using a MacBook.

Our users have varying levels of experience and should feel empowered to select methods that best suit their individual needs, preferences, and skills.


Apple provides various methods from which users can choose to copy elements using their MacBook. Which do you prefer? Personally, I favor using the "command + C" method without any hesitation.





8) Aesthetic and minimalist design.


Screenshot taken by author displaying Google’s implementation of minimalistic design.
Screenshot by author displays Google’s implementation of minimalistic design.

Users unequivocally prefer a visually appealing design: one that is clean, simple, free from unnecessary clutter, well-aligned, and with ample white space. This type of design minimizes distractions, facilitates smooth navigation, and ensures tasks are completed efficiently, providing users with a delightful experience. When it comes to aesthetic and minimal design, Google sets the gold standard.



9) Recognise, diagnose, and recover errors.


Screenshot taken by author displaying Google’s implentation of Error Prevention in Gmail.
Screenshot by author displays Google’s implentation of Error Prevention in Gmail.

Present error messages using clear and simple language, along with practical solutions. In case a user overlooks error prevention cues, assist them in identifying and rectifying the mistake, reinforcing the necessary steps for resolving the issue promptly. This approach ensures users can seamlessly proceed with their tasks, minimizing any unnecessary frustration.



10) Help and documentation.


Screenshot taken by author displaying Apple’s implementation of Help and Documentation.
Screenshot by author displays Apple’s implementation of Help and Documentation.

A top-notch design system effortlessly offers users solutions to any queries they might have through FAQs, user guides, customer support chat, a search feature, and more. Accessibility is key, ensuring users can easily find the information they need.



The Wrap-Up


There you go! The ten usability heuristics presented, just as promised. By incorporating these ten heuristics into your design, you will create a user-centered experience that improves efficiency, satisfaction, and usability.



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