The 3 Basic Rules of User Interface Design

User interface design can seem more complicated than it needs to be. In this blog, we’ll go over the three most important rules of UI design to give you a point of reference in case you get lost in the details. 

Be Simple

The best user interfaces are so simple that users can visit them for the first time and immediately know what to do. In many cases, the simpler the design, the intuitive it is for users. 

According to HubSpot, the first step is to get rid of all site elements that don’t add anything to your UX: 

“Adding unnecessary design elements (i.e., elements that serve no functional purpose) to your website will only make it harder for visitors to accomplish what they’re trying to accomplish. From a usability and UX perspective, simplicity is your friend. And you can employ simplicity in a variety of different ways.”

Businesses often want to cram as much content as they possibly can on their websites. The reality is that this often clogs the site and harms the UI design. If you’re ever in doubt, then air on the side of simplicity. 

Be purposeful

Each element you add to your site should have a function, whether it’s to help users with navigation or create a design that’s representative of your brand. This is why UI designs often look simple, but are actually rather tricky to make. It’s like trying to write a short story where each sentence adds to the plot, character development, or setting. 

Be consistent 

And finally, when it comes to UI design, consistency trumps everything. You don’t usually want to surprise users with your site, as there’s a good chance that they’ll get lost in its navigation. Instead, you want to make your UI as consistent as possible so users know what to expect. This is also important for developing a brand with your design. 

To talk more about user interface design, or anything else, contact us today.