UX design isn’t just about making things pretty – it’s about making users feel smart while using your product.
If there’s one thing we all like, it’s feeling like we’ve got it together, even if we just spent 15 minutes trying to figure out how to close that one pop-up window. So, let’s dive into three UX laws that will not only improve your designs, improve user experience, but also make your users think, “Hey, I’m a genius!”
Von Restorff Effect: Make It Pop!
Imagine you’re at a party (a UI/UX designer’s party, naturally), and everyone is wearing black. Except you. You’re rocking a bright, neon green suit. Guess who’s getting remembered? That’s the Von Restorff Effect. In UX, this means anything that stands out, whether it’s a big red button or an oddly shaped icon, gets all the attention.
Use It in Your Design
- Make your CTA unmissable: A bright, shiny “Buy Now” button is like the Hulk at a tea party. It stands out, and no one’s ignoring it.
- Spotlight key info: If there’s one field you absolutely don’t want users to forget (like “Email” or “Password”), make it pop with colour or size. It’s like handing them a highlighter for your form.
Fitts’ Law
Fitts’ Law basically says the bigger and closer something is, the easier it is to hit. Easy, right? In the world of UX, this law helps us design buttons that even your cat could hit with their paws.
How to Apply Fitts' Law
- Make important buttons large: That “Submit” button shouldn’t be playing hide and seek. Give it some space and size, so your users don’t feel like they need to be a surgeon to click it.
- Put things where people can reach them: No one wants to stretch their thumb across the screen like they’re auditioning for Cirque du Soleil. Keep important buttons within thumb’s reach on mobile.
Serial Position Effect
You know how you can perfectly remember the first and last episode of your favorite series, but the middle is a blur of random plot twists? That’s the Serial Position Effect at work. Users are more likely to remember what’s at the beginning and the end of something, and not everything in the middle.
Use It Like This:
- Put the good stuff first: Got something important to say? Say it early, like a punchline before your audience gets distracted. This applies to menus, lists, or even how you present products.
- End with a bang: Wrap things up with a memorable CTA or an important piece of info. Like a good dessert, the last bite should leave a lasting impression.
Wrapping it Up
Incorporating these three UX laws into your design isn’t just smart, it’s essential. The Von Restorff Effect helps your users focus, Fitts’ Law makes interaction feel effortless, and the Serial Position Effect ensures they’ll remember the best bits. Together, these principles create a smooth, engaging experience that makes users feel like they’ve just aced a level in a video game – without even realising it.