When making custom interfaces I’ve seen it over an over again where the interface becomes a linear “story”. You might have seen it yourself – ever had software that has a lot of next/previous/back buttons? When speaking to users about their workflow routine, it’s common to hear them describe a process from start to finish, … continue reading
Users are busy. They’re juggling notifications, errands, meetings, and a hundred other priorities. In this chaotic environment, the last thing they want is to encounter a giant, time-consuming task when using your app or website. Instead, they want small, manageable tasks they can complete quickly and easily. The Psychology of Small Tasks Humans naturally gravitate … continue reading
I’m going to start with a Steve Jobs clip. In it, he says “you’ve got to start with the customer experience and work backwards to the technology. You can’t start with the technology and figure out how you’re going to sell it.” You can’t make people want something. It’s easy to get excited about AI. … continue reading
I’ve seen people use the terms “usability” and “accessibility” interchangeably, often surfacing in discussions about user experience. However, these concepts, while related, are not interchangeable. Understanding the nuanced differences between them is essential for any product designer aiming to create truly inclusive products. Here’s a breakdown to clarify these often-confused terms: Usability Usability refers to … continue reading
Good typography is a cornerstone of excellent visual design. Its influence extends far beyond aesthetics. The principles that guide effective typography – such as hierarchy, structure, and clarity – are also essential to building great products. By understanding typography, product designers can learn to organize information better, provide clearer direction, and ultimately create more user-friendly … continue reading
Designers and builders face a dilemma: trying to predict what users want. Build first, ask questions later is a great way to get started, to get moving. Move fast and break things. Great. Keep doing that. But what happens when you step back, and you are unhappy with what you see? When what lies in … continue reading
Design is at its most powerful when it’s personal. Product people talk endlessly about understanding the user – but how often do we truly become them? Walking in their shoes isn’t just an exercise in empathy; it’s a strategy for uncovering insights that no focus group can deliver. When you BE the user, you design … continue reading
I’ve been looking into how we can make user perceptions of AI systems more positive when it comes to trust. This is particularly crucial in fields like healthcare, finance, or any area where AI decisions have a real impact on people’s lives. Here’s a top level view of that. I have used Google’s People + … continue reading
Dynamic Interaction or dynamic interactivity in terms of user interface design refers to the real-time, responsive relationship between a user and a system where the interface reacts or evolves based on user input or changing data. It’s about creating an experience where users can directly manipulate elements, see immediate effects, and engage with data in … continue reading
Yes this is about generative AI. Large language models (LLMs) have become versatile tools capable of handling tasks ranging from creative writing to detailed technical analyses. I wrote recently about whether chat interfaces are the right interface for LLMs, because that’s what most people see LLMs as. And so interface design is stuck in this … continue reading