6 commandments of modern UX

User experience trends come and go. But there still exist some fundamental rules that hold reign over designers who strive to create amazing user interfaces.

Here are 6 cardinal rules of modern UX no designer should ever dare to ignore, thanks to the top mobile app development company Ready4S.

Assume the perspective of the user

This rule is basic, true. But if you're tempted to forget it, you're in for trouble. Designers need to keep their focus on users and their needs, expectations and requirements. You're not designing for yourself, so don't get too attached to a project that resonates with you. Instead, concentrate on the end user.

User-centered design is here to stay.

Reduce cognitive load

It's impossible to eliminate cognitive load entirely, but smart designers know how to minimize extraneous cognitive load that takes up plenty of mental resources but doesn't actually help users understand the content in front of them.

How to minimize cognitive load? Here are 3 classic tactics:

• Use existing mental models as foundations for your design, for example, when designing a mobile app, take into account that people generally know how mobile apps look like. Using the labels and layouts that appear in other apps, you'll create a familiar environment which doesn't require serious learning from visitors.
• Get rid of visual clutter, meaningless images, over-the-top typography and redundant links simply have to go.
• Offload mental tasks, if some elements in your design require users to remember information or make a decision, help them by re-displaying information or setting a default.

Accommodate users with different skill levels

Another key element of UX has to do with the skill and knowledge level of users. A good design should accommodate the needs of different users, at least in principle.

What determines the ability of users to learn and use a product? Some of the most important factors are:

• General technology skills: you can assume that your average user will be able to operate similar mobile apps on a device or OS of choice.
• Domain knowledge: even if you design an amazing interface, users will still be confused if they have no idea about the functionalities of your tool.
• General intelligence: when facing new situations, some people tend to be more curious than others. They also have superior problem-solving capacities and can deal with complex tasks.
• Motivation: while some people give up easily when facing a challenge, others keep trying until they get it right.

Count on recognition, not recall

While memories allow people to retrace the neural patterns associated with the original stimulus, mental cues help to retrieve memories. Our brains find it easier to recognize things that we've already seen and experienced. On the other hand, it's hard to recall facts without any relational context.

So instead of burying users under a mountain of features and options, use simple icons and pictures to help users use visual cues to navigate your app. Offer instructions and hints where applicable. Don't ask users to memorize lots of information.

Invest in layered flat design

Minimalism is all the rage in UX, and flat design is the king of minimal design. Simple, clean and sleek, the flat design offers amazing usability to desktop and mobile users.

But just because it's flat, it doesn't mean that it can't handle some complexity. By adding subtle layers, designers can make the flat design more functional while still retaining its crispness and clarity.

Assist users with help guides or documentation

The manual is a tough nut to crack. It's probably the most challenging part of a user's experience with a product. Even when designers try to do their best and create welcoming interfaces that make finding information as easy as possible, people still do everything to avoid manuals.

The trick is to create the right type of manual or documentation. Then it can become a powerful tool in boosting the user experience with a product.

So how to create an engaging user manual?

• Be brief. Or if you can’t, at least provide users with a quick start guide. People don’t like to read a lot so try to fit in less than 5 steps.
• Keep it goal-oriented and simple. Show the most important functionalities that set your app apart in the market. Don’t explain every single thing – let your users discover.
• Remember about your target group and the situation in which your app will be used. The same person can appreciate a professional language at work and simple, everyday language in their free time.

Conclusions

Follow these 6 critical rules of UX in designing your app and you'll deliver a product with a flawless user interface. Or even better, trust an experienced team of UX designers at Ready4S which will gladly design a beautiful and useful app for you. You can check their portfolio here.