New to UX? Here are 11 UX design principles to live by

If you are new to the realm of UX/UI design, much like I was when I wrote this article, you may find yourself pondering the principles that will guide your work. Whether you're flying solo or collaborating in a team, establishing a set of design principles is invaluable.

What Are Design Principles and Why Do You Need Them?

A valid question indeed. A reliable source like the Interaction Design Foundation suggests that design principles are "widely applicable laws, guidelines, biases and design considerations applied at a designer's discretion." Establishing a set of principles creates a shared understanding of what good design means, serving as a compass for your team and yourself.

The Importance of Direction

Without guidelines, how will you know you're on the right track? Adhering to solid design principles acts as a springboard for innovation, not just for you but for your team as well.

My Eleven Principles in UX/UI Design

It's worth noting that these principles will likely evolve over time and are geared more towards understanding human behaviour and UX rather than UI or graphics.

Design for Least Effort — This principle is rooted in the "principle of least effort," which posits that people inherently seek the path of least resistance. I've adopted this principle, finding it aligns well with Steve Krug's book, Don't Make Me Think. The key takeaway? Design should be as instinctive as possible.
Engage Emotions — While emotions can be manipulated, their engagement in design is often inevitable and necessary. Our goal should be to elicit positive emotional responses from users.
Dare to Be Different — This is my personal contribution to the list. Celebrate your uniqueness and bring your distinct flavour into your designs. A divergence from the norm can sometimes lead to innovative solutions.
Be Caring and Kind — Given that UX and Human-Centred Design are closely related, this principle serves as a reminder to build empathy and focus on the well-being of users.
Consider Context — Understand the broader context of users' lives outside the problem you're addressing. This approach will only enrich your design process.
Listen to Data-Informed Design — Assumptions can be misleading. Utilise both qualitative and quantitative data to guide and justify your design decisions.
Tell Stories — Storytelling is fundamental to human connection. Utilise stories to make your design more relatable and engaging.
Engage with Real Users — Interact with actual end-users to validate your assumptions. This is integral for designing solutions that genuinely meet their needs.
Plan for Mistakes — Accept that users will make mistakes and design with this in mind. Clear feedback mechanisms can mitigate user error and improve experience.
Design for Everyone — Universal design and accessibility should be integral parts of your design philosophy. The WCAG guidelines offer useful insights into making designs more accessible.
Focus on Business Needs — Design should not only meet user needs but also align with business objectives. Ensure that user experience and business goals are in harmony.

Conclusion

These are the principles I plan to adhere to as I embark on my design journey. I expect this list to evolve with time and experience, and I invite you to share your thoughts and suggestions.

The number 11 has a special place in my life, stemming from a comical video about two Scottish men in a lift. Now, it seems to crop up everywhere, reinforcing my affinity for this peculiar number.