User experience doesn’t have to be complicated. Focus on these seven essentials:
- User Research: Talk to real people—surveys, interviews, or quick hallway chats.
- Simplify Flows: Break tasks into clear, minimal steps.
- Consistent Patterns: Buttons, colors, and layouts should behave predictably.
- Affordances: Design elements should hint at their function—links look clickable, forms look fillable.
- Error Prevention & Recovery: Use input masks and meaningful error messages (“Oops! Please use a valid email”).
- Accessible Design: Alt text, keyboard navigation, and color-blind–friendly palettes are not optional.
- Test Early & Often: Even five users can expose major UX flaws—run quick prototypes and refine.
By emphasizing clarity, consistency, and real-world feedback, you’ll craft interfaces that feel intuitive and inclusive to everyone.
