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Laws of UX PDF

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31 views144 pages

Laws of UX PDF

Uploaded by

hasiny
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
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Laws of UX PDF

Jon Yablonski

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Laws of UX
Mastering User Experience Through Psychological
Principles and Intuitive Design.
Written by Bookey
Check more about Laws of UX Summary
Listen Laws of UX Audiobook

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About the book
In "Laws of UX," Jon Yablonski highlights the critical role of
psychology in designing user experiences that resonate with
users. By exploring the intricacies of human behavior and
cognition, this practical guide empowers designers to create
intuitive and user-friendly digital interfaces. Yablonski
deconstructs well-known applications and experiences,
offering valuable insights and clear examples that illustrate
how to align design with human perception and interaction.
With an emphasis on human-centered design, this book equips
UX designers with the principles needed to craft experiences
that not only engage users but also adapt seamlessly to their
needs.

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About the author
Jon Yablonski is a distinguished designer and user experience
expert known for his insightful contributions to the fields of
UX design and usability. With a background in graphic design
and a passion for creating intuitive and engaging user
experiences, Yablonski has dedicated his career to helping
organizations effectively bridge the gap between technology
and user needs. As the author of "Laws of UX," he distills
complex psychological principles and design strategies into
practical guidelines that empower designers and teams to craft
more user-centered products. Through his work, Yablonski
emphasizes the importance of understanding human behavior
and cognition, positioning himself as a thought leader in the
evolving landscape of design thinking.

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Summary Content List
Chapter 1 : Jakob’s Law

Chapter 2 : Fitts’s Law

Chapter 3 : Miller’s Law

Chapter 4 : Hick’s Law

Chapter 5 : Postel’s Law

Chapter 6 : Peak–End Rule

Chapter 7 : Aesthetic–Usability Effect

Chapter 8 : Von Restorff Effect

Chapter 9 : Tesler’s Law

Chapter 10 : Doherty Threshold

Chapter 11 : Applying Psychological Principles in Design

Chapter 12 : With Power Comes Responsibility

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Chapter 1 Summary : Jakob’s Law

Section Summary

Overview Jakob's Law highlights that users expect new websites/apps to function like familiar ones, reducing
cognitive load and enhancing navigation ease.

Key Takeaways

Users apply expectations from known products to new ones.


Familiar interfaces minimize extensive learning, allowing focus on tasks.
Offer options for familiar versions when implementing changes.

Origins Introduced by Jakob Nielsen in 2000, emphasizing user expectations shaped by previous experiences,
leading to frustration with unconventional designs.

Mental Models Aligning designs with users' mental models creates intuitive experiences; understanding user psychology
is essential for effective design.

Examples

Form Controls: Familiar design elements aid understanding.


Snapchat Redesign: Confusion from abrupt changes can reduce usage.
Google's Approach: Opt-in redesigns validate user expectations.
Ecommerce Sites: Familiar patterns, like those on Etsy, streamline shopping.
Automotive Controls: Intuitive design reflects user understanding.

Technique: User User personas help tailor designs to target audience needs, based on demographics, characteristics, and
Personas user research insights.

Key While familiar patterns enhance usability, designers should balance established conventions with
Consideration: innovative designs to address unique user needs.
Sameness

Conclusion Jakob’s Law emphasizes designing with users' previous experiences in mind to improve usability; testing
is crucial for deviations from standard practices to ensure clarity.

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Jakob’s Law

Overview

Jakob's Law states that users expect new websites or


applications to function like those they already know. This
law highlights the importance of familiarity in user
experience, as it allows users to quickly understand and
navigate interfaces without expending unnecessary mental
effort. Designers should leverage common design patterns to
minimize cognitive load and aid users in achieving their
goals efficiently.

Key Takeaways

- Users transfer expectations from familiar products to new


ones.
- Familiar interfaces reduce the need for extensive learning,
allowing users to focus on tasks.
- When implementing changes, provide options to use the
previous familiar version temporarily to ease transition.

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Origins

Jakob Nielsen introduced Jakob's Law in 2000, emphasizing


the trend where users draw from their experiences on other
sites to shape their expectations. Following common design
conventions helps maintain user focus on content rather than
navigating unfamiliar interfaces. Unconventional designs
often lead to frustration and task abandonment.

Mental Models

Mental models are preconceived notions about how systems


work. By aligning designs with users' mental models,
designers can create more intuitive experiences.
Understanding user psychology is key, and tools such as user
interviews and personas can help bridge the gap between
designer assumptions and user expectations.

Examples

1.
Form Controls
: Design elements like buttons and toggles mirror their
physical counterparts, allowing users to understand their

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functions easily.
2.
Snapchat Redesign
: A sudden overhaul confused users, leading to backlash and
a decrease in app usage.
3.
Google's Approach
: Google allowed users to opt-in to redesigns, minimizing
mental model mismatches and allowing feedback.
4.
Ecommerce Sites
: Sites like Etsy utilize familiar shopping patterns to
streamline the purchase process.
5.
Automotive Controls
: Car controls are designed to be intuitive, reflecting how
users understand seat adjustments.

Technique: User Personas

User personas help design teams focus on the specific needs


of their target audience rather than generic assumptions.
Detailed personas should include user demographics,
characteristics, behaviors, and insights derived from actual

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user research.

Key Consideration: Sameness

While common patterns enhance usability, there is a risk of


creating sameness across digital experiences. This calls for a
balance between adherence to established conventions and
innovative designs that address unique user needs. Designers
should prioritize familiar systems but explore uniqueness
when it significantly enhances user experience.

Conclusion

Jakob’s Law is a guiding principle reminding designers to


consider users' previous experiences to enhance
understanding and usability in new products. Following
established conventions allows users to apply existing
knowledge, making tasks easier. Designers should start with
common patterns, adjusting only when justified by user
experience improvement. Testing is crucial when deviating
from standard practices to ensure clarity and usability.

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Example
Key Point:Familiarity in User Experience
Example:Imagine you’re using a new photo editing app
and the tools are laid out just like your favorite editing
software. You instantly know where to find the crop
tool, adjust brightness, and apply filters, all without
having to relearn a new system. This familiarity allows
you to dive straight into editing your photos instead of
getting sidetracked by learning a different interface.
Jakob's Law teaches us that leveraging familiar design
patterns can significantly enhance your overall
experience, making tasks feel intuitive and
straightforward.

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Chapter 2 Summary : Fitts’s Law

Section Content

Fitts’s Law The time to acquire a target is influenced by the target's distance and size.

Key Takeaways

Touch targets should be large enough for accurate selection.


Sufficient spacing between touch targets is essential.
Touch targets should be positioned for easy access within the interface.

Overview Usability is critical in design, focusing on intuitive interfaces. Fitts’s Law states that selection
time decreases with larger and closer targets.

Origins Introduced by Paul Fitts in 1954, establishing a mathematical model for human motion with an
index of difficulty formula.

Key Consideration: The Fitts’s research was influenced by WWII pilot error analysis, leading to designs that
Human Factor accommodate human limitations.

Examples of Fitts’s Law


Applications
Touch Target Sizing: Targets should be large (e.g., Apple recommends 60×60 pt).
Spacing Between Targets: At least 8dp suggested for preventing errors.
Target Positioning: Should be easy to reach based on user context.

Design Guidelines

Labeling elements and placing buttons near inputs improve experiences.


Adequate spacing prevents accidental selections.
Spacing is crucial for safety in infotainment systems.

Innovative Features Related


to Fitts’s Law
Apple’s Reachability feature for larger devices.

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Section Content

Infinite targets like screen edges for easier engagement.

Conclusion Designers should prioritize user experience by applying Fitts’s Law, making elements
appropriately sized and accessible.

Technique: Contextual Combines observation and interviews to gain insights into user behaviors.
Inquiry

Wrapping Up Summarize findings to ensure accurate understanding of observed processes.

Fitts’s Law

The time to acquire a target is influenced by the target's


distance and size.

Key Takeaways

- Touch targets should be large enough for accurate selection.


- Sufficient spacing between touch targets is essential.
- Touch targets should be positioned for easy access within
the interface.

Overview

Usability is crucial in design, aiming for interfaces that are


intuitive and require minimal effort to navigate. The time
taken to engage with interactive elements is a key usability

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metric, influenced by the input method and user dexterity.
Fitts’s Law posits that selection time decreases with target
size and proximity: larger and closer targets are easier to
select, while smaller and distant targets take longer to
engage.

Origins

Fitts’s Law was introduced by Paul Fitts in 1954,


establishing a mathematical model for human motion and
interaction. It includes an index of difficulty (ID) formula,
balancing distance and target width.

Key Consideration: The Human Factor

Fitts’s research arose from analyzing pilot errors during


WWII, leading to shape coding for controls to prevent
confusion. This work pioneered the human factors approach,
emphasizing the importance of adapting design to human
limitations and behavior.

Examples of Fitts’s Law Applications

1.

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Touch Target Sizing
: Touch targets should be large for easy selection.
- Minimum guidelines vary (e.g., Apple recommends
60×60 pt).
2.
Spacing Between Targets
: Adequate space prevents errors. Google suggests at least
8dp between targets.
3.
Target Positioning
: Targets should be easily reachable based on user context
(e.g., one-handed smartphone operations).

Design Guidelines

- Labeling form elements and placing buttons near


corresponding inputs enhance user experience.
- Adequate spacing, such as in LinkedIn's confirmation
screen, should prevent accidental selections.
- In infotainment systems, like that of Tesla, spacing is
crucial for driver safety.

Innovative Features Related to Fitts’s Law

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- Apple’s Reachability assists one-handed use of larger
devices by bringing hard-to-reach items to a more accessible
part of the screen.
- Infinite targets (e.g., screen edges) make engagement easier,
as seen in desktop operating systems.

Conclusion

Designers must ensure interfaces enhance user experiences


without distractions. Applying Fitts’s Law aids in creating
intuitive elements that are sufficient in size, well spaced, and
placed in reachable areas for mobile interfaces, where
precision is challenging.

Technique: Contextual Inquiry

Derived from Fitts and Chapanis’s work, contextual inquiry


combines observation and interviews to gain insights into
user behaviors.

Wrapping Up

Conclude observations by summarizing findings for user


clarification, ensuring accurate understandings of the

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processes observed.
This chapter highlights the need for thoughtful design in
interface usability, focusing on human factors to improve
interactions.

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Chapter 3 Summary : Miller’s Law
Section Summary

Key Organize content in smaller chunks for better processing, recognize individual memory capacity varies, and
Takeaways avoid unnecessary design limitations.

Overview Miller's law states the average person can hold about 7 (± 2) items in working memory but emphasizes
cognitive processing over numerical limits.

Origins George Miller's research focused on short-term memory limits and introduced "chunks" to aid memory
retention, emphasizing the importance of chunking.

Cognitive Load The mental effort to process digital interfaces can overwhelm users, affecting task completion and user
experience.

Technique: Chunking organizes information into segments to improve memory retention, using design elements like
Chunking color and spacing to aid users.

Examples of Phone numbers, web content formatting, e-commerce site organization, and categorizing functions in
Chunking toolbars demonstrate chunking effectiveness.

Key The "magical" number seven is not a strict limit; well-designed navigation can exceed seven items without
Consideration hindering usability.

Conclusion Miller's law highlights the necessity of chunking to improve user understanding and memory, enhancing
overall user experience as information grows.

Miller’s Law

Key Takeaways

- Organize content into smaller chunks for easier processing


and memorization.
- Individual short-term memory capacity varies based on
prior knowledge and context.
- Avoid using Miller's law to enforce unnecessary design

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limitations.

Overview

Miller’s law, derived from George Miller’s 1956 paper,


states that the average person can keep approximately 7 (± 2)
items in their working memory. While commonly
misinterpreted to advocate for limiting navigation items, the
true essence of Miller’s law is about the cognitive capacity in
processing information rather than enforcing design
constraints.

Origins of Miller’s Law

George Miller’s research highlighted the limits of short-term


memory and information processing. He introduced the
concept of “chunks” which are grouped units of basic
information that aid memory retention. The interpretation of
the “magical number seven” has often been misrepresented,
as Miller emphasized chunking over numerical limits.

InstallLoad
Cognitive Bookey App to Unlock Full Text and
Audio
Cognitive load reflects the mental effort required to process

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Chapter 4 Summary : Hick’s Law

Hick’s Law

The time it takes to make a decision increases with the


number and complexity of choices available.

Key Takeaways

- Minimize choices when response times are critical to


decrease decision time.
- Break complex tasks into smaller steps to reduce mental
effort.
- Highlight recommended options to avoid overwhelming
users.
- Avoid oversimplifying to the point of abstraction.

Overview

Designers aim to present information in a simplified manner


to prevent confusion, thereby enabling users to achieve their
goals efficiently. Understanding user goals helps eliminate
non-essential elements from the design. Complexity in user

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interfaces can arise from too many choices, unclear calls to
action, or convoluted processes, which can hinder task
performance. Hick's Law illustrates that more choices lead to
longer decision times, affecting user experience.

Origins

Hick's Law, formulated in 1952 by psychologists Hick and


Hyman, posits that increased choices logarithmically increase
decision time. The formula RT = a + b log2(n) quantifies this
relationship, where RT is response time, and n is the number
of stimuli. A cluttered interface increases cognitive load, as
users must process multiple options.

Psychology Concepts: Paradox of Choice

More choices can lead to indecision and overwhelm,


exemplified by a crowded restaurant menu. Research shows
that limited options can enhance decision-making, as
indicated in studies by Schwartz, Iyengar, and Lepper.
Shoppers were less likely to buy from a larger selection of
jams compared to a smaller one, demonstrating the paradox
of choice.

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Examples in Design

-
Remote Controls
: Complex remotes necessitate extensive mental processing.
Simplified "grandparent-friendly" remotes enhance usability.
-
Google Search
: Filters are presented post-search to focus user attention.
-
Notion Onboarding
: Provides a simple checklist to guide new users, allowing for
gradual learning.
-
Netflix
: Features like "Trending Now" reduce indecision by offering
popular choices among users.

Technique: Card Sorting

Card sorting helps designers understand how users prefer to


organize information. In a typical open card sorting exercise:
1. Identify topics.
2. Participants organize topics into meaningful groups.

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3. Participants name each group based on their
categorization.
4. Optional debriefing to gather insights on participants'
thought processes.

Key Consideration: Oversimplification

While aiming for simplicity, designers must avoid


abstraction that obscures necessary information and actions.
Over-reliance on icons without text can increase cognitive
load. Text labels alongside icons provide essential context
and improve usability.

Conclusion

Hick’s law plays a crucial role in user experience design.


Interfaces should be simplified to reduce cognitive strain
while ensuring that contextual clues are provided to assist
users in navigating their tasks. A clear focus on user goals
enhances the likelihood of successful outcomes by
minimizing unnecessary decision-making burdens.

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Example
Key Point:Minimizing Choices in User Interfaces
Example:Imagine shopping for a new laptop online.
Instead of displaying hundreds of models, a website that
highlights the top three best-selling laptops reduces your
options, helping you feel less overwhelmed and
enabling you to make your purchase decision quickly.

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Critical Thinking
Key Point:Cognitive Load and Decision Making
Critical Interpretation:While Hick's Law effectively
highlights the benefits of simplifying choices, it may
overlook the importance of user context and individual
differences in decision-making processes, suggesting
that a one-size-fits-all approach could be misleading.

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Chapter 5 Summary : Postel’s Law

Postel's Law

Key Takeaways

- Emphasize empathy, flexibility, and tolerance for user


actions and inputs.
- Anticipate diverse input and provide a reliable interface.
- Robust design becomes more resilient when anticipatory.
- Accept variable user input and deliver clear feedback.

Overview

Designing user experiences translates to understanding


human behavior, which is often inconsistent, distracted, and
emotionally driven. Products must be dependable and
adaptable, adhering to Postel’s law: "be conservative in what
you do, be liberal in what you accept from others." The first
part of this law means that outputs should be reliable and
accessible to the widest user range. The second part
underscores the importance of accepting various user inputs

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across different formats and devices.

Origins

Postel's law, introduced by Jon Postel, was initially a


guideline for network engineering focusing on data
transmission reliability. It encourages creating systems
robust enough to process nonstandard inputs, influencing
user experience design significantly.

Examples of Postel’s Law in Design

-
Forms
: Minimize required fields to reduce cognitive load and
enhance user completion rates. Account for cultural naming
conventions and provide flexible error responses.
-
Responsive Design
: Embrace fluid web design to adapt to various devices rather
than creating separate experiences for each.
-
Progressive Enhancement
: Focus on basic functionality that works for all users,

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progressively adding enhancements based on device
capabilities.
-
Design Systems
: Allow for various input types and perspectives while
maintaining clear and purposeful guidelines for component
output.

Technique: User Interviews

User interviews gather qualitative data to enhance design


understanding. Key steps include:
- Define specific goals for insights.
- Prepare thematic discussion guides rather than rigid
questions.
- Build rapport and make interviewees comfortable.
- Avoid leading questions to gather unbiased insights.

Key Consideration: Design Resiliency

Designs must anticipate user input variability, making them


robust to handle diverse scenarios like text expansion in
internationalization or customizing font sizes. Responsive
designs accommodate changes gracefully, enhancing user

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experiences.

Conclusion

Postel’s law fosters an understanding between human and


machine interactions. By developing systems that readily
accept varied human input and convert it into effective
outputs, designers enhance user experiences and ensure
robustness in an ever-evolving technological landscape. This
anticipatory approach results in resilient designs capable of
meeting complex user needs.

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Chapter 6 Summary : Peak–End Rule

Peak–End Rule

People often evaluate experiences based on their peak


moments and the final moments rather than the average or
total experience.

Key Takeaways

- Focus on the most intense and final moments in the user


journey.
- Design experiences that highlight helpful, valuable, or
entertaining moments.
- Be aware that negative experiences may overshadow
positive ones.

Overview

The peak-end rule implies that experiences are recalled


through emotional snapshots, heavily influenced by the most
intense feelings and final moments. Research shows that how
users feel during these critical times significantly affects their

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willingness to repeat an experience or recommend it.

Origins

The theory originated from studies by Daniel Kahneman and


colleagues, highlighting that people preferred longer
unpleasant experiences when they had a more positive end.
Subsequent research affirmed that users evaluate discomfort
based on peak and final moments of experiences.

Psychology Concept

Understanding cognitive biases enhances comprehension of


the peak-end rule. Cognitive biases can lead to errors in
judgment and perception, influencing overall
decision-making. The peak-end rule is classified as a
memory bias, where we remember emotional peaks rather
than an entire experience.

Examples

- Install Bookey App to Unlock Full Text and


Spotify: Audio
The “Spotify Wrapped” feature allows users to reflect on

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Chapter 7 Summary :
Aesthetic–Usability Effect

Aesthetic–Usability Effect

The aesthetic-usability effect suggests that users often


perceive aesthetically pleasing designs as more usable. This
chapter explores how aesthetics influence usability and user
perception.

Key Takeaways

- Aesthetically pleasing designs generate positive emotional


responses, leading users to believe the design performs
better.
- Users are more forgiving of minor usability issues when a
design is visually appealing.
- Attractive designs can obscure usability problems during
testing.

Overview

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Design is not just about appearance; it's about functionality
too. However, a beautiful design can enhance usability by
positively affecting emotional responses and cognitive
abilities. This phenomenon is known as the
aesthetic-usability effect, which signifies how attractiveness
influences perceptions of usability.

Origins

The concept originated from a study by Kurosu and


Kashimura in 1995. They demonstrated a strong correlation
between users' perceived usability and the visual appeal of
ATM interfaces, emphasizing that apparent usability is more
connected to beauty than inherent ease of use.

Psychology Concept: Automatic Cognitive


Processing

People make quick judgments about aesthetics, known as


System 1 thinking, aiding rapid reactions based on past
experiences. This instinctual response can lead to swift
evaluations of digital interfaces within milliseconds,
indicating that first impressions are crucial and rarely change.

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Examples

1.
Braun
: Under the design direction of Dieter Rams, Braun's
minimalist and functional aesthetic has left a lasting legacy.
2.
Apple
: Apple's products reflect Braun's design philosophy,
featuring elegant interfaces that balance beauty and usability,
often overshadowing usability issues due to aesthetics.

Technique: Usability Testing

Effective design requires understanding user interactions.


Usability testing helps identify problems and opportunities
through real user observations. Essential steps include
planning, executing tests, and synthesizing data into
actionable insights.

Key Consideration: Effect on Usability Tests

Aesthetic appeal can inadvertently mask usability issues.


Research shows that visually attractive designs lead to higher

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usability ratings and faster task completion, highlighting the
need for careful user evaluations beyond aesthetic
considerations.

Conclusion

Aesthetic design significantly impacts usability by creating


positive emotional reactions and enhancing cognitive
evaluations. However, these effects can obscure performance
issues, complicating usability assessments. It is crucial for
designers to recognize and mitigate these influences to
ensure a clear understanding of user experience.

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Chapter 8 Summary : Von Restorff
Effect

VON RESTORFF EFFECT

Overview

The von Restorff effect refers to the phenomenon where an


item that differs from similar items is more easily
remembered. This effect highlights the importance of making
significant information visually distinct in digital design.
Key considerations include the use of color, shape, size,
position, and motion to guide user attention without
overwhelming or confusing them.

Key Takeaways

- Ensure crucial information and actions are visually unique.


- Avoid visual clutter by using emphasis judiciously.
- Be inclusive of users with color vision deficiencies or
motion sensitivities.

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- Recognize that our cognitive processing and memory
retention are influenced by visual distinctiveness.

Origins

The effect is named after Hedwig von Restorff, whose


studies in the 1930s demonstrated that isolated items in a list
are better remembered than similar ones. Subsequent
research corroborated her findings, reinforcing our attraction
to novel or distinct stimuli.

Psychology Concept: Selective Attention

Humans experience constant distractions, leading to selective


attention, where we filter out non-essential information to
focus on what is relevant. This limitation can result in
behaviors such as "banner blindness," where users ignore
elements perceived as ads. Effective design must consider
users' attentional limits to facilitate their goals.

Examples of the von Restorff Effect

-
Buttons and Links

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: Differentiation in design elements like buttons can help
users notice available actions.
-
Floating Action Button (FAB)
: A consistent design pattern to denote primary actions in
apps.
-
Pricing Tables
: Emphasizing specific plans through visual cues such as
color and size.
-
Notifications
: Use of contrast to ensure users notice important alerts.
-
News Websites
: Headlines are often highlighted using scale to capture
reader attention.

Key Considerations: Accessibility

Addressing accessibility involves ensuring contrast is


effective for users with visual impairments. Guidelines stress
the importance of adequate color contrast ratios and the use
of additional visual cues beyond color to enhance usability

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for all.

Moderation in Design

Design practices must avoid excessive visual emphasis, as


too much contrast can lead to confusion or misidentification
of content as advertisements. Techniques involving motion
must be implemented with care to avoid discomfort for users
with motion sensitivities.

Technique: Eye Tracking

Eye tracking is a method for studying user behavior by


tracking where users look on digital interfaces. This approach
can yield valuable insights, although it comes with
limitations that necessitate the use of supplementary research
methods for comprehensive understanding.

Conclusion

The von Restorff effect underscores the importance of using


contrast attentively to direct user focus towards relevant
elements in a design. Effective application can enhance
usability, but designers must remain aware of accessibility
needs and the potential for visual overload.

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Chapter 9 Summary : Tesler’s Law

Tesler’s Law

Tesler’s law, or the law of conservation of complexity,


asserts that a certain amount of complexity in any system
cannot be reduced, but rather must be managed by either the
user or the designers.

Key Takeaways

- Every process has a core complexity that cannot be


designed away.
- Designers should minimize user burden by addressing
inherent complexity during the design phase.
- Avoid oversimplifying interfaces to the point of abstraction.

Overview

The core question in user interface design is whether the user


or the designer should carry the complexity burden. While
designers aim to simplify user experiences, some complexity
is inevitable. Recognizing and managing where this

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complexity resides is crucial.

Origins

Tesler’s law was introduced by Larry Tesler in the 1980s


while he worked on interaction design at Xerox PARC and
later at Apple. He highlighted the principle to advocate for
consistency and ease in user applications.

Psychology Concept: Complexity Bias

Complexity bias leads people to favor intricate solutions,


often incorrectly associating complexity with competence.
This bias can hinder design by overlooking simpler solutions
that could effectively address user needs.

Examples of Tesler’s Law

-
Email Clients:
Modern email services reduce complexity by pre-populating
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and suggesting to Unlock
recipients based onFull Text and
past interactions.
- Audio
Checkout Processes:

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Chapter 10 Summary : Doherty
Threshold

Doherty Threshold

Key Takeaways

- Provide system feedback within 400 ms to enhance user


attention and productivity.
- Leverage perceived performance to improve response time
and lessen wait perceptions.
- Use animations to engage users during loading or
processing.
- Implement progress bars to manage wait times, irrespective
of accuracy.
- Inducing a deliberate delay can enhance perceived value
and trust.

Overview

Performance is crucial for positive user experiences; slow

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response, lack of feedback, and long load times can lead to
user frustration and abandonment. The speed of system
responses is essential, with increased page weight
contributing to longer wait times. Studies show that longer
waits lead to decreased user productivity and satisfaction.
The original threshold for acceptable response time was set at
two seconds, but the Doherty Threshold (under 400 ms)
suggests that productivity increases significantly with faster
interactions.

Psychology Concept: Flow

Flow is a state of complete immersion in tasks, characterized


by focus and control, leading to higher productivity.
Balancing task difficulty with user skill fosters this state,
which can be achieved through timely feedback and efficient
design.

Examples of Enhancing Perceived Performance

-
Skeleton Screens:
Used by Instagram to visually present loading content,
making load times feel shorter.

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-
Blur Up Technique:
Used by Unsplash to load low-resolution images first,
smoothing out the viewing experience.
-
Progress Indicators:
Progress bars, such as those in Gmail, reassure users during
loading, enhancing their experience.

Key Considerations

Friction:
Response times can be counterproductive if they're too fast,
leading to skipped changes and mistrust. Introducing a slight
delay can be valuable, offering users time to process and
engage. Effective use of friction, such as in confirmation
modals or thorough scanning processes like Google’s Privacy
Checkup, can enhance trust.

Conclusion

Performance should be a core design focus, with designers


tasked with facilitating efficient user interactions through

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timely feedback and strategies that enhance perceived
performance to minimize waiting.

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Example
Key Point:The Importance of System Feedback
Timing
Example:Imagine opening an app to check your
messages. If your app responds instantly, you dive right
into your conversations with ease. However, if a delay
of more than two seconds occurs, frustration sets in; you
might even abandon the app. That's where the Doherty
Threshold comes into play. By ensuring that the app
provides feedback within 400 milliseconds, you not
only enhance your enjoyment and satisfaction but also
stay focused on the task at hand. In this fluid
experience, timely feedback encourages a flow state,
increasing your productivity and maintaining your
engagement. Skipping that threshold causes valuable
moments of disconnect, making you less likely to
return.

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Critical Thinking
Key Point:The importance of speed in user
interactions is paramount, but an overemphasis on
rapid responses may lead to negative consequences.
Critical Interpretation:While the Doherty Threshold
presents a compelling argument that feedback must be
provided within 400 milliseconds to avoid user
frustration, one must critically evaluate whether this
standard can be universally applied. Not every context
favors immediate responsiveness; in some cases,
deliberately inducing slight delays can cultivate a deeper
engagement and enhance trust, as users appreciate
reflective interactions. For instance, the integration of
friction can help to prevent errors during interactions,
thereby enhancing overall satisfaction—a nuance not
thoroughly explored in Yablonski's analysis. Sources
like 'The Design of Everyday Things' by Don Norman
discuss how thoughtful design choices, including pacing
interactions, can significantly affect user experiences,
indicating that a one-size-fits-all approach to interaction
speed may overlook important user needs.

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Chapter 11 Summary : Applying
Psychological Principles in Design

Applying Psychological Principles in Design

Designers can significantly enhance user experiences by


leveraging insights from behavioral and cognitive
psychology. Understanding human behavior can drive better
design decisions. This chapter discusses how designers can
incorporate psychological principles into their design
processes.

Building Awareness

Creating awareness of psychological concepts is fundamental


for designers. Here are some effective strategies:

Visibility

Making psychological principles visible in the workspace is


an instant reminder for teams. Displaying posters, like those
from the Laws of UX project, helps cultivate a shared

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vocabulary around these principles, leading to better design
discussions.

Show-and-Tell

Establishing regular knowledge-sharing sessions allows team


members to present their insights, fostering a culture of
continuous learning. This method encourages the sharing of
relevant information, boosts public speaking skills, and
promotes team dialogue.

Design Principles

As teams expand, the number of design decisions increases,


leading to potential inconsistencies. To maintain quality and
clarity, establishing design principles is crucial. These
principles act as guidelines for making decision-making
consistent and swift.

Defining Your Principles

The process of defining design principles typically involves


several core steps:
1.

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Identify the team
: Include members who will be directly affected by these
principles.
2.
Align and define
: Create a shared understanding of what the principles will
achieve.
3.
Diverge
: Encourage brainstorming of potential principles.
4.
Converge
: Identify themes among ideas and vote on the most
appropriate.
5.
Refine and apply
: Consolidate and articulate the principles clearly.
6.
Circulate and advocate
: Share the principles widely to ensure team buy-in.

Best Practices

To ensure effectiveness, design principles should be:

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-
Direct and actionable
, avoiding vague statements.
-
Solution-oriented
, addressing clear questions and concerns.
-
Opinionated
, guiding decision-making with prioritization.
-
Memorable
, making them easy to recall and apply.

Connecting Principles to Laws

After establishing design principles, connect them to relevant


psychological laws for deeper validation. For instance,
aligning a principle like “clarity over abundance of choice”
with Hick’s Law helps reinforce the importance of limiting
choices to enhance decision-making.

Conclusion

Embedding psychology into daily design practices will lead

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to improved decision-making. By fostering awareness,
creating a culture of knowledge sharing, and establishing
clear design principles, teams can create user experiences
that are both effective and grounded in psychological
understanding. Following these guidelines will prepare teams
to deliver consistent, high-quality designs aligned with user
needs.

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Chapter 12 Summary : With Power
Comes Responsibility

With Power Comes Responsibility

In this chapter, the focus is on the importance of ethical


design within the realm of user experience, stressing that
designers hold significant power derived from psychological
insights. While these insights can lead to more engaging
products, there are responsibilities tied to this power.

How Technology Shapes Behavior

Understanding behavior shaping is essential for making


responsible design decisions. The principles of operant
conditioning, pioneered by B.F. Skinner, illustrate how
behaviors can be influenced by rewards and consequences.
Today, these principles are evident in various technologies
and platforms.

Key Methods of Behavior Shaping

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1.
Intermittent Variable Rewards
- Random reinforcement encourages repeated behavior, as
seen with smartphone notifications and social media
interactions.

2.
Infinite Loops
- Features like autoplay videos or infinite scrolling keep
users engaged passively, maximizing time on site.
3.
Social Affirmation
- Social media platforms leverage our need for approval
through likes and comments, fostering a cycle of
engagement.
4.
Personalization
- Machine learning algorithms tailor user experiences,
increasing addiction risk by creating filter bubbles.
5.
Defaults
Install
- Pre-set Bookey
options oftenApp touser
dictate Unlock Full
choices, Textwith
aligning and
company interests rather thanAudio
user preferences.
6.

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Best Quotes from Laws of UX by Jon
Yablonski with Page Numbers
View on Bookey Website and Generate Beautiful Quote Images

Chapter 1 | Quotes From Pages -34


1.Users spend most of their time on other sites, and
they prefer your site to work the same way as all
the other sites they already know.
2.By leveraging existing mental models, we can create
superior user experiences in which the users can focus on
their tasks rather than on learning new models.
3.The easier we make it for people to achieve their goals, the
more likely they are to do so successfully.
4.When our designs do not align with the user’s existing
mental model, such as when a familiar product is suddenly
changed, it’s likely the user will become confused.
5.Designing in a way that conforms to expectations allows
users to apply their knowledge from previous experiences,
and the resulting familiarity ensures they can stay focused
on the important stuff: finding the information they need,

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purchasing a product, etc.
Chapter 2 | Quotes From Pages -48
1.Usability is a key aspect of good design. It implies
ease of use, which means the interface should be
easy for users to understand and navigate.
2.To design better technology means to design for humans,
and to design for humans means to anticipate our emotions,
limitations, and preconceptions.
3.Touch targets should be large enough for users to
accurately select them.
4.When touch targets are too small, it takes users longer to
engage them.
5.The lessons learned by Fitts and Chapanis are invaluable to
this very day.
6.The spacing between interactive elements is also an
important consideration.
7.A key responsibility we have as designers is to ensure the
interfaces we create augment human capabilities and
experiences and don’t distract from or deter them.

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Chapter 3 | Quotes From Pages -58
1.The average person can keep only 7 (± 2) items in
their working memory.
2.Chunking helps us retain information more effectively.
3.What chunking does not do is dictate a specific limit on the
number of items that can be shown.
4.The sheer volume of information around us is growing at
an exponential rate—but we humans have a finite amount
of mental resources available to process that information.

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Chapter 4 | Quotes From Pages -72
1.One of the primary functions we have as designers
is to synthesize information and present it in a way
that doesn’t overwhelm the people who use the
products and services we design.
2.The time it takes to make a decision increases with the
number and complexity of choices available.
3.Ultimately, our objective is to understand what the user
seeks to accomplish so that we can reduce or eliminate
anything that doesn’t contribute to them successfully
achieving their goal(s).
4.We are often motivated to simplify complexity through
efficiency and elegance.
5.The absence of a distinctive and clear call to action, unclear
information architecture, unnecessary steps, too many
choices or too much information—all of these can be
obstacles to users seeking to perform a specific task.
6.When an interface is too busy, actions are unclear or
difficult to identify, and critical information is hard to find,

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the mental effort required to find what we are looking for
increases.
7.Simplifying an interface or process helps to reduce the
cognitive load for users and increases the likelihood that
they’ll complete their task and achieve their goal.
8.The less they have to think about what they need to do to
reach their goal, the more likely it is they will achieve it.
Chapter 5 | Quotes From Pages -84
1.Designing good user experiences means designing
good human experiences.
2.The more we can anticipate and plan for in design, the
more resilient the design will be.
3.Be conservative in what you do, be liberal in what you
accept from others.
4.We can predict but must not assume things about where
users are, how they work, and the technology they use.
5.The philosophy outlined in Postel’s law can also be applied
to user experience design and how we deal with user input
and system output.

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Chapter 6 | Quotes From Pages -98
1.People judge an experience largely based on how
they felt at its peak and at its end, rather than on
the total sum or average of every moment of the
experience.
2.Remember that people recall negative experiences more
vividly than positive ones.
3.By focusing on people’s perceptions of time and waiting,
Uber was able to reduce its post-request cancellation rate
and avoid what could easily become a negative emotional
peak while using its service.
4.By infusing a touch of brand character through illustration,
subtle animation, and humor, the platform reinforces
achievement and makes the experience more engaging.
5.An incredibly effective way to do this is to provide
guidance during the user journey that prevents users from
ending up facing an error or confusing state to begin with.
6.It is vital that these moments make a lasting good
impression.

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Chapter 7 | Quotes From Pages -112
1.‘Aesthetically pleasing design creates a positive
response in people’s brains and leads them to
believe the design actually works better.’
2.‘People are more tolerant of minor usability issues when
the design of a product or service is aesthetically pleasing.’
3.‘Contrary to what we’ve been taught not to do, people do in
fact judge books by their covers.’
4.‘System 1 operates impulsively and involves little or no
psychological effort.’
5.‘The positive benefits of aesthetically pleasing design come
with a significant caveat.’
Chapter 8 | Quotes From Pages -126
1.Make important information or key actions
visually distinctive.
2.Use restraint when placing emphasis on visual elements to
avoid them competing with one another and to ensure
salient items don’t get mistakenly identified as ads.
3.Our focus is not only dictated by the goals we seek to

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accomplish but also directed by these instinctual abilities.
4.When it comes to digital interfaces, an interesting
consideration is the tendency of contrasting elements to
draw our attention faster.
5.If the visual emphasis on content causes the content to be
mistakenly identified as an advertisement, then it’s likely to
be ignored.
6.The implications of this with regard to digital products and
services is significant... interfaces people interact with must
guide their attention, prevent them from being
overwhelmed or distracted, and help them in finding the
relevant information or action.
7.Contrast can also become problematic when not used with
restraint.
8.Visual contrast can be created in many ways. Color is a
common way to differentiate elements, but it is by no
means the only way to create contrast.
9.We must carefully consider when and how we use motion
in our designs to ensure users with motion sensitivity aren’t

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negatively affected.
Chapter 9 | Quotes From Pages -138
1.If a million users each waste a minute a day
dealing with complexity that an engineer could
have eliminated in a week by making the software
a little more complex, you are penalizing the user
to make the engineer’s job easier.
2.All processes have a core of complexity that cannot be
designed away and therefore must be assumed by either the
system or the user.
3.The more complexity and assumptions a solution has, the
greater the chance of failure.
4.Users never read software manuals but instead start using
the software immediately.
5.Progressive disclosure is an interaction design technique
that displays only important actions or content by default,
while making additional features or content easily
accessible.

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Chapter 10 | Quotes From Pages -150
1.Productivity increases in more than direct
proportion to a decrease in response time.
2.When a computer and its users interact at a pace that
ensures that neither has to wait on the other, productivity
soars.
3.Purposefully adding a delay to a process can actually
increase its perceived value and instill a sense of trust, even
when the process itself actually takes much less time.
4.An example of animation being used to reduce the
uncertainty and frustration associated with wait times can
be found in Google’s famous email client, Gmail.
5.As designers, it is our responsibility to help ensure the
people who use our products and services can achieve their
tasks as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Chapter 11 | Quotes From Pages -158
1.The wealth of knowledge afforded to designers by
behavioral and cognitive psychology research
provides an invaluable foundation for creating

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human-centered user experiences.
2.Building awareness is perhaps the most obvious but
effective way for designers to internalize and apply the
psychological concepts covered in this book.
3.Design principles can serve as a North Star: guiding values
that embody what good design looks like for the team.
4.Good design principles are direct, clear, and actionable, not
bland and obvious.
5.The most effective way to leverage psychology in the
design process is to embed it into everyday decision
making.
Chapter 12 | Quotes From Pages -174
1.With power comes responsibility.
2.The first step in making more responsible design decisions
is to acknowledge and understand the ways in which the
human mind is susceptible to persuasive technology and
how behavior can be shaped.
3.Ethics must be an integral part of the design process,
because without this check and balance, there may be no

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one advocating for the end user within the companies and
organizations creating technology.
4.No longer is 'moving fast and breaking things' an
acceptable means of building technology—instead, we
must slow down and be intentional with the technology we
create and consider how it’s impacting people’s lives.
5.We should build technology that augments the human
experience rather than replacing it with virtual interaction
and rewards.

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Laws of UX Questions
View on Bookey Website

Chapter 1 | Jakob’s Law| Q&A


1.Question
What is Jakob’s Law and why is it significant in UX
design?
Answer:Jakob’s Law states that users spend most of
their time on other sites and prefer your site to
function similarly to those they already know. This
is significant because it implies that when designing
interfaces, familiarity helps to reduce cognitive load,
enabling users to focus on their tasks instead of
learning how to navigate a new system. Designers
should leverage familiar patterns to improve user
experiences.

2.Question
How can designers minimize mental model mismatches
when redesigning a product?
Answer:Designers can minimize mental model mismatches

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by allowing users to opt into redesigns gradually, as seen
with Google's approach to updating YouTube. This method
helps users to become familiar with the new design over
time, ensuring they can still use the previous version until
they are ready to adopt the changes.

3.Question
What is the role of mental models in user experience
design?
Answer:Mental models represent users' understanding of
how systems work based on their past experiences. In UX
design, matching designs to these mental models is crucial as
it allows users to transfer their knowledge seamlessly from
one product to another, reducing the learning curve and
enhancing overall satisfaction.

4.Question
Can you give an example of a successful application of
Jakob’s Law?
Answer:Etsy serves as a successful example of Jakob’s Law
by leveraging familiar e-commerce design patterns that users

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expect. This familiarity allows customers to focus on
purchasing products instead of figuring out a new interaction
model.

5.Question
What happens when a design does not align with users'
mental models?
Answer:When a design does not align with users' mental
models, it can lead to confusion and frustration, making users
more likely to abandon their tasks. A notable example is
Snapchat's 2018 redesign, which alienated users due to
drastic changes that disrupted their familiar navigation
structure.

6.Question
How can user personas assist in aligning design decisions
with user needs?
Answer:User personas create fictional representations of
targeted users based on real data, helping designers
empathize with and better understand user needs,
motivations, and behaviors. This focus facilitates design

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choices that cater to specific user groups, ensuring that
products meet actual user requirements.

7.Question
Is conformity to existing design patterns always
beneficial?
Answer:While conformity to existing design patterns can
enhance usability and familiarity, it is not always beneficial.
Designers should consider the appropriateness of
conventions against user needs and contexts. If innovation
can significantly improve the user experience, it may be
worth exploring new ideas, provided they undergo rigorous
user testing.

8.Question
What should designers prioritize when creating new
interfaces according to Jakob's Law?
Answer:Designers should prioritize using common patterns
and conventions, leveraging design systems when available,
to facilitate user productivity and minimize confusion. They
should only deviate from these standards when there is a

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clear, tested reason to do so.

9.Question
How does Jakob’s Law relate to the concept of cognitive
load?
Answer:Jakob’s Law relates to cognitive load as it
emphasizes the importance of familiar designs that lessen the
mental effort required by users. Reducing cognitive load
allows users to devote more mental energy to their objectives
rather than to learning new interfaces.
Chapter 2 | Fitts’s Law| Q&A
1.Question
What is Fitts's Law, and why is it important in UX
design?
Answer:Fitts's Law states that the time required to
acquire a target is a function of the distance to that
target and its size. This principle is crucial in UX
design because it emphasizes that interactive
elements must be appropriately sized and spaced to
ensure they are easily selectable by users, which

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directly impacts usability and user satisfaction.

2.Question
How does the design of touch targets impact usability?
Answer:Touch targets should be large enough to facilitate
easy selection, appropriately spaced to prevent accidental
activations, and positioned in areas that are easily reachable
by users. If touch targets are too small or too close together,
users may experience frustration and difficulty in navigating
the interface.

3.Question
Can you give an example of applying Fitts's Law in form
design?
Answer:An effective application of Fitts's Law in form
design is associating a label with a form input field. When
users can tap on the label to engage the input, it increases the
effective target area, making it easier to select the input
without requiring precise accuracy. Additionally, placing the
submit button close to the last input field minimizes the
distance users need to travel, enhancing user experience.

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4.Question
What were the findings from the military study
conducted by Paul Fitts?
Answer:Paul Fitts discovered that many accidents during
World War II, attributed to 'pilot error,' were actually due to
design flaws in control systems. By implementing shape
coding to differentiate controls, confusion was reduced,
resulting in safer operations. This highlighted the importance
of considering human factors and designing for real-world
conditions.

5.Question
What design considerations can prevent accidental
selections in mobile interfaces?
Answer:To prevent accidental selections, designers should
ensure adequate spacing between touch targets (at least 8 dp),
utilize large enough touch areas to facilitate interaction, and
position commonly used features within the easiest reach
zones on mobile devices. This helps mitigate user errors and
enhances overall interface usability.

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6.Question
How can the concept of infinite targets be utilized in
design?
Answer:Infinite targets, like those found on screen edges,
allow users to quickly access options without needing precise
accuracy. For instance, placing toolbar icons along the edge
of the screen enables users to easily click on them due to the
natural boundary created by the screen, thereby enhancing
interaction efficiency.

7.Question
What is the purpose of contextual inquiry in UX
research?
Answer:Contextual inquiry is an ethnographic research
method aimed at observing users in their natural environment
to gain a deeper understanding of their interactions and
workflows. This approach uncovers insights that might not
be disclosed in traditional interviews, allowing designers to
create more user-centered products.

8.Question
How does Apple’s Reachability feature demonstrate an

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application of Fitts's Law?
Answer:Apple's Reachability feature lowers the top of the
screen for one-handed users, bringing targets into easier
reach. This design adapts to how users physically interact
with their devices, thus improving accessibility and usability
by minimizing the distance required to select elements.

9.Question
Why should designers exceed the minimum touch target
size recommendations?
Answer:Designers should exceed minimum touch target size
recommendations to reduce the need for precision in
selection, enhancing user comfort and confidence in
interacting with the interface. Larger targets can also improve
the perception of usability, contributing to a more satisfying
user experience.
Chapter 3 | Miller’s Law| Q&A
1.Question
What is Miller’s Law and why is it important for UX
design?

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Answer:Miller's Law states that the average person
can hold approximately 7 (± 2) items in their
working memory. This is important for UX design
because it suggests that we should organize
information into smaller, digestible chunks to
facilitate easier processing and memorization by
users. This helps enhance user experiences by
avoiding cognitive overload.

2.Question
How does chunking help improve user experience?
Answer:Chunking improves user experience by grouping
related information together, which allows users to scan and
comprehend content more effectively. By visually
distinguishing chunks using design elements such as color,
spacing, and hierarchy, users can quickly identify and focus
on relevant information, thus reducing cognitive load.

3.Question
What are some practical examples of chunking in design?
Answer:Examples of chunking in design can be seen in

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formatted phone numbers, which group digits into
easy-to-remember sections. Websites like Nike.com use
chunking to group product information and filters, while
Google Docs organizes its toolbar functions into identifiable
groups. This organization aids users in navigating complex
information more intuitively.

4.Question
What does Miller’s Law NOT imply about the number of
items in navigation menus?
Answer:Miller’s Law does not imply that navigation menus
should be limited to seven items. Effective design can
provide users with more navigation options, as they do not
need to memorize these items. Instead, users can quickly
scan the menu to find relevant links, especially when good
design practices, such as categorization and whitespace
usage, are employed.

5.Question
How should designers approach the concept of cognitive
load in relation to Miller's Law?

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Answer:Designers should be aware that cognitive load refers
to the mental resources needed to engage with a digital
interface. To reduce cognitive load, they should structure
information to fit within users' cognitive capacities, using
chunking to organize content and facilitate learning and
interaction, thereby improving task completion and reducing
user frustration.

6.Question
Can the principles derived from Miller’s Law help in
understanding information overload in today’s digital
landscape?
Answer:Yes, understanding Miller's Law helps illustrate that
as the amount of information continues to grow, the finite
cognitive resources available to users make it essential to
present information in a structured and chunked manner. This
prevents cognitive overload, allowing users to successfully
process and utilize the information without feeling
overwhelmed.

7.Question
What is the takeaway from Miller's findings regarding

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short-term memory?
Answer:The key takeaway is that while there are limits to
short-term memory capacity, the efficient organization of
information into meaningful chunks significantly enhances
our ability to remember and process that information. The
focus should be on optimizing the design of content for how
users naturally process and retain information.

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Chapter 4 | Hick’s Law| Q&A
1.Question
What is Hick's Law and its relevance to user
decision-making?
Answer:Hick's Law states that the time it takes to
make a decision increases with the number and
complexity of choices available. This principle
highlights how overwhelming users with too many
options can lead to longer decision times and
increased cognitive load. The relevance to user
experience design is significant: by minimizing
choices and simplifying interfaces, designers can
help users make quicker and more intuitive
decisions, ultimately enhancing the overall
experience.

2.Question
How can designers effectively minimize choices without
oversimplifying?
Answer:Designers can effectively minimize choices by

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breaking complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps and
highlighting recommended options. This approach helps to
maintain user engagement without overwhelming them.
However, care must be taken not to oversimplify to the point
where the interface becomes abstract or unclear. Ensuring
there are enough contextual clues and information for users
to understand their available options is crucial. For example,
icons can be used to save space, but they should be
accompanied by text labels for clarity.

3.Question
Can you provide an example of Hick's Law in everyday
life?
Answer:An everyday example of Hick's Law is found in a
restaurant menu. A menu with a vast array of choices can
lead to diners feeling overwhelmed and indecisive.
Conversely, a menu with a limited number of carefully
curated options allows diners to make quicker decisions,
enhancing their dining experience and satisfaction.

4.Question

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What is the paradox of choice and how does it relate to
user experience?
Answer:The paradox of choice suggests that while having
options may seem beneficial, too many choices can lead to
decision paralysis and dissatisfaction. This is pertinent in
user experience as it reinforces the idea that simplifying
options can lead to better outcomes for users. For instance,
when Netflix introduced features like 'Trending Now', it
alleviated choice overload, making it easier for users to
decide what to watch, thereby enhancing their viewing
experience.

5.Question
Why is it important to understand users' goals in design?
Answer:Understanding users' goals is essential for designers
because it allows them to tailor interfaces and experiences
that directly cater to those goals. When designers know what
users want to achieve, they can eliminate unnecessary
elements that do not contribute to the completion of those
goals, simplifying the experience and reducing cognitive

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load. This understanding leads to more intuitive designs that
facilitate user success.

6.Question
What role does cognitive load play in user
decision-making?
Answer:Cognitive load refers to the mental effort required to
process information and make decisions. In user
decision-making, high cognitive load can lead to slower
responses and poor choices due to overwhelm. By
simplifying interfaces and reducing unnecessary details,
designers can lower cognitive load, enabling users to focus
on essential tasks without the burden of extraneous
information.

7.Question
How do features like progressive disclosure improve user
experience?
Answer:Progressive disclosure improves user experience by
presenting information and options step-by-step rather than
all at once. This method allows users to focus on the

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immediate task without the distraction of too many choices.
An example is Notion's onboarding process, which
introduces users to features incrementally, enhancing their
understanding and confidence without causing overwhelm.

8.Question
What is the relationship between interface complexity
and cognitive load?
Answer:There is a direct relationship between interface
complexity and cognitive load: as the complexity of an
interface increases—through too many options or unclear
navigational elements—so does the cognitive load on users.
Higher cognitive load makes it harder for users to process
information and make decisions, potentially leading to
frustration and abandonment of tasks.

9.Question
In what ways can designers create a sense of clarity for
users in their interfaces?
Answer:Designers can create clarity in interfaces by using
clear information architecture, prominent calls to action, and

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ensuring that key information is easy to locate. Additionally,
employing visual hierarchies, consistent iconography with
accompanying labels, and reducing visual clutter can help
guide users smoothly through their tasks and enhance
usability.

10.Question
What are some potential drawbacks of reducing options
in a design?
Answer:While reducing options can lead to a more
streamlined user experience, there’s a risk of
oversimplification, which can make user interfaces too
abstract or restrictive. This may hinder users' ability to
perform tasks effectively if they feel a lack of control or the
ability to explore. To mitigate this, designers should strike a
balance that provides enough information and options to
meet diverse user needs while maintaining simplicity.
Chapter 5 | Postel’s Law| Q&A
1.Question
What is Postel's Law and how does it apply to design?

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Answer:Postel's Law states 'be conservative in what
you do, be liberal in what you accept from others.'
In design, this means creating systems that are
reliable (conservative) while also accommodating a
wide range of user inputs and experiences (liberal).
This principle encourages designers to anticipate
user variability and ensure that products are
accessible and easy to use for everyone.

2.Question
Why is empathy important in user experience design?
Answer:Empathy is crucial because users are not machines;
they are often inconsistent, distracted, and error-prone, driven
by emotions. Understanding these human traits helps
designers create intuitive and forgiving interfaces that respect
users' capabilities and limitations.

3.Question
How should designers handle the variability of user
inputs?
Answer:Designers should accept variable inputs from users

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and implement strategies that accommodate different
languages, cultural norms, or input methods. For instance,
form fields should be flexible enough to accept variations in
names or address formats based on user geography.

4.Question
What are the benefits of designing adaptable interfaces
according to Postel’s Law?
Answer:Designs that are adaptable can enhance user
satisfaction by preventing frustration and confusion. For
example, responsive web design allows content to scale
across devices, ensuring a seamless experience regardless of
the user's device or input type.

5.Question
Can you provide an example of a user experience that
embodies Postel's Law?
Answer:Apple's Face ID is an excellent example, as it allows
users to unlock devices without complicated passwords or
usernames, demonstrating adaptability and lenience towards
various user input methods.

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6.Question
What is the difference between progressive enhancement
and graceful degradation?
Answer:Progressive enhancement focuses on delivering basic
content and functionality to all users, gradually adding
features for those with capable devices, ensuring universal
access. In contrast, graceful degradation starts with advanced
features and has fallbacks for users with less capable setups,
which can prioritize advanced technology at the cost of
accessibility.

7.Question
Why is decision fatigue a concern in form design?
Answer:Decision fatigue occurs when users are overwhelmed
by choices, leading to poorer decisions or abandonment of
tasks. By minimizing required fields in a form and only
asking for essential information, designers can reduce
cognitive load and encourage completion.

8.Question
How can user interviews help in applying Postel's Law?
Answer:User interviews can provide insights about actual

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user behaviors and expectations, informing designers on how
to create systems that accept diverse inputs and meet varying
user needs, thereby honoring the principles of Postel's Law.

9.Question
What role does resilience play in design according to
Postel's Law?
Answer:Resilience in design involves anticipating potential
issues with user inputs and planning for them effectively.
This means creating flexible interfaces that can handle
diverse user interactions and maintain functionality across
different contexts.

10.Question
What is a key takeaway from the application of Postel’s
Law to UX design?
Answer:A key takeaway is that by designing systems that are
forgiving and can interpret various forms of input, designers
can create more user-friendly, resilient designs that cater to a
broad audience.
Chapter 6 | Peak–End Rule| Q&A

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1.Question
What is the peak-end rule and why is it important in user
experience?
Answer:The peak-end rule states that people judge
an experience largely based on how they felt at its
most intense moment (the peak) and at its
conclusion (the end), rather than on the total sum or
average of every moment in the experience. This is
important in user experience design because it
emphasizes the need for creators to intentionally
focus on and enhance these pivotal moments to
ensure users have a positive memory of the entire
experience, which can lead to repeat usage and
recommendations.

2.Question
How can companies utilize the peak-end rule in their
design strategies?
Answer:Companies can utilize the peak-end rule by
identifying the most critical emotional moments in the user

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journey, which may include times of intense engagement or
frustration, and tailoring their design to enhance these
moments. They should aim to delight users during peak
moments and ensure that the final moments of an experience
leave a positive lasting impression. For instance, Spotify's
Wrapped feature allows users to reflect on their listening
trends, creating a delightfully personalized experience,
especially at the year’s end.

3.Question
How does the peak-end rule influence user
decision-making and memory recall?
Answer:The peak-end rule influences user decision-making
and memory recall by emphasizing that our memories of
experiences are colored by our feelings during the most
emotionally charged moments and the final moments. As
such, if a user has a particularly memorable peak experience
and a pleasing conclusion, they are more likely to view the
entire experience positively and may be more inclined to
return or recommend the service, regardless of any negative

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experiences that may have occurred earlier.

4.Question
Can you provide an example of the peak-end rule in
action from the article?
Answer:An example of the peak-end rule in action is Uber's
approach to managing and communicating wait times.
Recognizing that waiting is an inherent part of their service,
Uber provides real-time updates and engaging animations to
keep users informed and entertained during wait times,
thereby reducing frustration. By focusing on improving the
end of the wait experience, users leave feeling more satisfied,
leading to a positive recollection of the overall service.

5.Question
What role does journey mapping play in applying the
peak-end rule?
Answer:Journey mapping plays a crucial role in applying the
peak-end rule by helping designers visualize the user
experience and identify key emotional peaks and endpoints.
Through this qualitative exercise, designers can outline the

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user’s actions, thoughts, emotions, and potential pain points
throughout their journey. This insight allows for targeted
improvements to enhance moments that are likely to impact
user perception and memory of the experience.

6.Question
How does negativity bias relate to the peak-end rule in
user experiences?
Answer:Negativity bias relates to the peak-end rule in that
humans tend to remember and be affected more by negative
experiences than positive ones. This means that if a negative
moment occurs during an experience, it can overshadow
positive moments if not addressed appropriately. To
counteract this, designers should strive to eliminate or
mitigate negative peaks and ensure that users have a
generally positive final experience, thus reinforcing favorable
overall memories of the service.

7.Question
What strategies can be employed to mitigate negative
experiences according to the peak-end rule?

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Answer:To mitigate negative experiences, organizations can
implement strategies such as providing clear guidance
throughout the user journey, addressing potential pain points
before they become critical issues, and ensuring that any
difficult moments are followed by positive resolutions or
interactions. For example, companies like Mailchimp use
real-time password validation during account creation to
prevent frustration, enhancing the overall experience by
ensuring a smoother process.

8.Question
In conclusion, what should designers focus on to ensure
positive user experiences?
Answer:Designers should focus on enhancing the emotional
peaks and final moments of the user experience, ensuring
they make a lasting, good impression. By understanding and
applying the peak-end rule, along with strategies to address
negativity bias, designers can create experiences that users
remember positively, leading to increased satisfaction and
continued engagement.

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Chapter 7 | Aesthetic–Usability Effect| Q&A
1.Question
What is the Aesthetic-Usability Effect?
Answer:The Aesthetic-Usability Effect is the
phenomenon where users perceive aesthetically
pleasing design as more usable. This effect suggests
that attractive designs create positive emotional
responses, which can lead users to believe that the
design functions better, even if there are usability
issues.

2.Question
Why do first impressions matter in design?
Answer:First impressions matter in design because users
form opinions instantly, often within 50 milliseconds of
seeing a design. This initial perception is greatly influenced
by aesthetic appeal and can affect user behavior and
decision-making, making it essential for designers to
prioritize aesthetics alongside functionality.

3.Question
How did the study by Kurosu and Kashimura contribute

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to our understanding of aesthetics and usability?
Answer:The study by Kurosu and Kashimura demonstrated a
strong correlation between perceived usability and visual
attractiveness through their experiment with ATM interfaces.
Participants rated the usability of various designs, revealing
that assessments of usability were more linked to how
visually appealing the design was than to its actual ease of
use.

4.Question
What role does automatic cognitive processing play in
user interactions?
Answer:Automatic cognitive processing allows users to
quickly form perceptions and reactions to design elements
based on past experiences. This system operates
involuntarily, influencing first impressions and the overall
perception of usability without requiring extensive mental
effort.

5.Question
Can you give an example of a brand that effectively uses

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aesthetics to enhance usability?
Answer:Apple is a prime example of a brand that combines
aesthetics with usability. Their products, such as the iPhone
and iMac, are known for their sleek, minimal designs that not
only attract users but also enhance their overall user
experience, despite occasionally having usability flaws that
users are likely to overlook due to the appealing aesthetics.

6.Question
How can usability testing be affected by aesthetics?
Answer:Usability testing can be impacted by aesthetics
because attractive designs can lead participants to rate
usability more favorably, potentially masking usability
issues. This challenge necessitates that evaluators focus on
both what users say and their actual interactions, and ask
questions that encourage participants to think critically
beyond aesthetic appeal.

7.Question
What precautions should designers take during usability
testing?

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Answer:Designers should ensure that usability testing
minimizes observer bias by emphasizing that the study is
about testing the design, not the participants. Moreover, they
should carefully analyze user interactions and feedback to
identify true usability concerns, rather than relying solely on
subjective ratings influenced by aesthetics.

8.Question
What is the conclusion about the relationship between
aesthetics and usability?
Answer:The conclusion is that aesthetically pleasing design
can enhance perceived usability through positive emotional
responses and improved cognitive processes, making users
more forgiving of minor usability issues. However, designers
must be cautious, as this effect can obscure genuine usability
problems that need to be addressed.
Chapter 8 | Von Restorff Effect| Q&A
1.Question
What is the key takeaway from the von Restorff Effect
regarding visual design?

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Answer:The key takeaway is to make important
information or actions visually distinct to enhance
memorability and usability. This means
emphasizing critical elements using color, size,
shape, or motion to draw attention without
cluttering the screen with competing visuals.

2.Question
How does selective attention impact user experience in
digital interfaces?
Answer:Selective attention filters out irrelevant information,
allowing users to focus on what matters. In digital interfaces,
it’s essential to guide user attention toward relevant content
and actions, preventing distractions from overwhelming or
confusing them.

3.Question
Why is it important to consider accessibility when
designing for contrast?
Answer:Accessibility ensures that all users, including those
with color vision deficiencies or low vision, can perceive and

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interact effectively with content. This involves using
sufficient color contrast, additional visual cues, and
moderation in emphasis to avoid overwhelming users.

4.Question
What are some examples of how the von Restorff effect is
applied in digital design?
Answer:Examples include using distinct button styles to
highlight primary actions, emphasizing one subscription plan
in a pricing table, and using scale to differentiate featured
content on news websites. These techniques rely on visual
contrast to guide user focus and facilitate decision-making.

5.Question
What are the consequences of overusing visual emphasis
in design?
Answer:Overusing visual emphasis can dilute the
effectiveness of important elements, lead to banner blindness,
or cause users to mistakenly identify critical information as
advertisements. This undermines the clarity and usability of
the interface.

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6.Question
How can eye-tracking studies enhance our understanding
of user behavior?
Answer:Eye-tracking studies provide objective data about
where users look and what they interact with, helping
designers understand attention patterns, engagement, and
areas of confusion, which can inform more effective interface
designs.

7.Question
What role does motion play in creating visual contrast,
and what should designers be cautious of?
Answer:Motion can effectively draw attention and create
contrast, but designers must be cautious as it may impact
users with motion sensitivities or conditions like vertigo.
Therefore, it's vital to implement motion in a way that
remains inclusive.

8.Question
How can the von Restorff effect guide the placement of
design elements in an interface?
Answer:By strategically employing the von Restorff effect,

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designers can ensure that critical actions are not only
noticeable but also easily distinguishable, guiding users
smoothly toward their goals.

9.Question
What should designers keep in mind to avoid banner
blindness?
Answer:Designers should ensure that legitimate content does
not resemble advertisements too closely and use sufficient
visual contrast with surrounding elements to maintain the
audience's attention on important information.

10.Question
In what ways can designers utilize color and shape
effectively according to the von Restorff effect?
Answer:Designers can use color to differentiate actions (e.g.,
primary action buttons in bold colors) and shape to
emphasize key elements (e.g., larger sizes for the most
important content), ensuring they stand out without
overwhelming the overall design.
Chapter 9 | Tesler’s Law| Q&A

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1.Question
What is Tesler's Law in the context of user experience
design?
Answer:Tesler's Law, also known as the law of
conservation of complexity, states that there is a
certain amount of complexity inherent in any system
that cannot be removed. Designers and developers
must manage this complexity and ensure that as
much of the burden as possible is transferred from
users to the design of the system itself.

2.Question
Why is it important for designers to recognize the core
complexity of a system?
Answer:Recognizing core complexity is crucial because it
ensures that designers do not oversimplify interfaces to the
point of creating confusion or frustration for users. By
understanding the inherent complexity, designers can
structure systems that effectively manage this burden,
enhancing the user experience.

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3.Question
How can designers help alleviate the complexity users
face?
Answer:Designers can alleviate user complexity by
implementing features like auto-fill for forms, suggesting
actions based on user behavior, or using progressive
disclosure to hide less critical options until they are needed.
These strategies make the user experience smoother and
reduce the cognitive load on users.

4.Question
Can you give an example of Tesler's Law in action?
Answer:A practical example of Tesler's Law is how modern
email clients minimize user complexity. They auto-populate
the sender's email address and suggest recipients as the user
starts typing. This shifts the inherent complexity from the
user to the developer, simplifying the overall email writing
process.

5.Question
What does complexity bias mean and why should
designers be aware of it?

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Answer:Complexity bias is the human tendency to prefer
complex solutions over simpler ones, mistakenly associating
them with greater intelligence or depth. Designers should be
aware of this bias as it can lead them to create unnecessarily
complicated interfaces, when the best solution may often be
the simplest one.

6.Question
What is progressive disclosure and how does it work?
Answer:Progressive disclosure is an interaction design
technique where only essential actions or content are
displayed by default, while additional features or information
are made accessible when needed. It keeps interfaces clean
and allows users to focus on critical tasks without
overwhelming them with options.

7.Question
What is the paradox of the active user?
Answer:The paradox of the active user describes how users
tend to start using software immediately without reading
manuals, even though this can lead to errors and confusion.

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Designers should create context-sensitive guidance and
assistance within the product to help these users navigate
their tasks effectively.

8.Question
What are the implications of not managing complexity in
design?
Answer:Failing to manage complexity can lead to user
confusion, frustration, and ultimately a bad experience with
the product. If designers do not handle the inherent
complexity, it shifts the burden onto users, which can harm
user satisfaction and retention.

9.Question
How does AI play a role in simplifying user experiences
as outlined in Tesler's Law?
Answer:AI simplifies user experiences by automating tasks
and making interactions more intuitive, such as Gmail’s
Smart Compose feature that suggests words and phrases
based on user input. This allows users to achieve their goals
with less effort and cognitive load, showcasing the

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application of Tesler’s Law in modern technology.

10.Question
What can designers learn from Tesler's Law about their
responsibilities?
Answer:Designers are responsible for identifying and
managing complexity in their products. They should work to
simplify user interactions without compromising necessary
functionality, ensuring that users have a seamless and
efficient experience.

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Chapter 10 | Doherty Threshold| Q&A
1.Question
What is the Doherty Threshold and why is it important
for user experience?
Answer:The Doherty Threshold refers to the critical
interaction pace between a computer and its users,
which should be under 400 milliseconds to avoid
delays that hinder productivity and user
satisfaction. It is essential because when this
threshold is adhered to, productivity increases,
errors decrease, and users feel more engaged and
satisfied with their work.

2.Question
How does perception of performance affect user
interaction?
Answer:Perceived performance can have a huge impact on
user experience. Techniques such as displaying skeleton
screens during loading times create the illusion of speed,
making users feel more engaged and less frustrated, even if

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the actual loading times are longer.

3.Question
What role does feedback play in maintaining user
attention during waiting times?
Answer:Providing immediate feedback, such as progress
indicators, reassures users that their actions are being
processed, which can significantly reduce frustration and
maintain their attention on the task at hand.

4.Question
How can designers leverage wait times to enhance
perceived value?
Answer:Designers can strategically introduce slight delays in
processes to allow for deeper reflection or confirmation,
thereby increasing the perceived value of the interaction and
instilling a sense of trust in the system's thoroughness.

5.Question
What is the connection between flow state and user
experience?
Answer:A flow state occurs when users feel a perfect balance
between the challenge of a task and their skills, leading to

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deep engagement and heightened productivity. By ensuring
swift feedback and reducing friction in tasks, designers can
facilitate this flow state.

6.Question
Can you provide examples of techniques that enhance
perceived performance despite actual delays?
Answer:Examples include the use of skeleton screens like
those on Instagram, the 'blur up' technique for images on
Unsplash, optimistic UI patterns seen in Instagram's
comment section, and animated progress bars used by Gmail,
which all help to create a more engaging and less frustrating
waiting experience.

7.Question
What are the potential downsides of response times that
are too fast?
Answer:If a system responds too quickly, users may miss
changes, struggle to understand what happened, and develop
mistrust if the speed doesn't match their expectations.
Therefore, it’s important to find a balance in response times.

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8.Question
How can adding friction be beneficial in user interfaces?
Answer:Adding friction, such as confirmation modals or
deliberate pauses, can help users process information and
reduce errors by activating careful, evaluative thinking. It can
also enhance trust in processes by signaling thoroughness.

9.Question
What should designers prioritize to create an effective
user experience regarding performance?
Answer:Designers should prioritize responsive design that
minimizes wait times and improves feedback mechanisms.
This involves employing techniques to enhance perceived
performance and actively engaging users during load times to
maintain their focus and satisfaction.
Chapter 11 | Applying Psychological Principles in
Design| Q&A
1.Question
How can designers build awareness of psychological
principles in their work?
Answer:Designers can build awareness by making

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psychological principles visible in their workspaces,
such as creating posters of the principles and
displaying them prominently. This constant
visibility helps reinforce knowledge and creates a
shared vocabulary around these principles that the
team can reference during the design process.

2.Question
What role does the show-and-tell method play in design
teams?
Answer:The show-and-tell method allows team members to
share knowledge and insights about design techniques, tools,
and findings. This practice fosters a culture of dialogue and
encourages continuous learning, helping team members gain
confidence in public speaking and asserting themselves as
subject matter experts.

3.Question
What challenges do design teams face as they grow, and
how can design principles help?
Answer:As design teams grow, the volume of design

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decisions increases, which can cause slowdowns or
inconsistencies. Establishing design principles creates a
shared understanding of what constitutes good design,
empowering team members to make faster, more consistent
decisions without always needing approval from design
leadership.

4.Question
What are some best practices for creating effective design
principles?
Answer:Effective design principles should be clear,
actionable, and resolute in addressing real design questions.
They must be opinionated to guide decision-making,
memorable for easier recall, and not simply restate the
obvious. This ensures they are more than just truisms and
will actively influence design choices.

5.Question
How can teams connect design principles to psychological
principles?
Answer:Teams can connect design principles to

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psychological principles by identifying laws that relate to
their goals, such as using Hick's Law to support a principle
like "clarity over abundance of choice." By establishing rules
that align with these laws, teams create actionable guidelines
that enhance design decisions.

6.Question
What is the significance of defining design principles for a
team?
Answer:Defining design principles is crucial for maintaining
a cohesive design vision, fostering consistency in output, and
ensuring that all team members are aligned with the team’s
goals and priorities. It acts as a guiding framework that
streamlines decision-making and enhances the overall design
process.

7.Question
What is the ultimate goal of embedding psychological
principles into the design process?
Answer:The ultimate goal is to leverage psychological
insights to inform everyday design decisions, resulting in

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more user-centered designs that are consistent, effective, and
grounded in a shared understanding of both team priorities
and psychological principles that govern user behavior.
Chapter 12 | With Power Comes Responsibility|
Q&A
1.Question
How can designers balance leveraging psychology with
ethical considerations in design?
Answer:Designers must acknowledge the potential
for technology to exploit human behavior and
prioritize ethical implications in their work. This
includes being aware of how psychological
principles, like Skinner's operant conditioning, can
lead to manipulative design practices. They should
focus on creating products that genuinely benefit
users rather than maximizing engagement at the
cost of user well-being.

2.Question
What lesson can we learn from B.F. Skinner's operant
conditioning experiments?

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Answer:Skinner’s experiments illustrate that behavior can be
shaped through reinforcement, which means that designers
have the power to influence users’ actions through
well-timed rewards or consequences. However, this power
comes with the responsibility to use it in ways that support,
rather than undermine, users' objectives.

3.Question
Why is it important to think beyond the 'happy path' in
design?
Answer:Focusing solely on ideal user scenarios neglects
users who may encounter difficulties or edge cases, leading
to products that fail in real-world applications. By
considering nonideal scenarios, designers can create more
resilient products that accommodate a wider range of user
experiences and reduce the risk of unintentional harm.

4.Question
What is the responsibility of designers in the context of
addictive technology?
Answer:Designers have the responsibility to create

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technology that respects users' time and attention. They
should aim to enhance the human experience instead of
exploiting vulnerabilities for profit. This involves
considering the long-term impact of their designs and
ensuring ethical practices are integrated into their workflows.

5.Question
How does diversity in design teams contribute to better
outcomes?
Answer:Diverse teams bring a range of perspectives, helping
to identify potential blind spots in products and services. By
including individuals from various backgrounds and
experiences, teams are better equipped to foresee and address
issues that might otherwise harm vulnerable users.

6.Question
What role do defaults play in user decision-making, and
why should designers be cautious about them?
Answer:Defaults can strongly influence user choices since
many people do not change them. Designers should be
careful to set defaults that align with users' best interests, as

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misaligned defaults can lead to unfavorable outcomes, such
as privacy violations or unintended subscriptions.

7.Question
How can designers effectively integrate user feedback into
their processes?
Answer:Designers should prioritize qualitative feedback by
engaging directly with users to understand their experiences
and motivations. This approach helps reveal the 'why' behind
user behavior, allowing for more informed design decisions
that enhance user satisfaction and well-being.

8.Question
What does embracing friction mean in the context of user
experience?
Answer:Embracing friction entails recognizing that not all
user journey obstacles are negative. Thoughtful friction can
enhance security, prevent misuse, and encourage users to
think critically about their choices, ultimately leading to
healthier digital habits and outcomes.

9.Question
In what way can the technology industry learn from the

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unintended consequences of past innovations?
Answer:The industry must adopt a more reflective approach,
considering the longer-term impacts of their innovations.
Learning from past mistakes can ensure that future products
are designed with a focus on user well-being and responsible
use of technology, rather than merely chasing engagement
metrics.

10.Question
Why is it crucial to consider ethics in the design process
of digital technologies?
Answer:Ethics should be a foundational element of the
design process to safeguard user interests and ensure that
technology serves beneficial purposes. Designers must
advocate for users, preventing behaviors that prioritize
corporate profits over the health and happiness of the
individuals using their products.

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Laws of UX Quiz and Test
Check the Correct Answer on Bookey Website

Chapter 1 | Jakob’s Law| Quiz and Test


1.Jakob's Law suggests that users expect new
websites or applications to behave completely
differently from those they have used before.
2.Implementing changes to a user interface should allow
users to choose to use the previous familiar version
temporarily.
3.Mental models are unimportant in designing user interfaces
as users do not have preconceived notions about how
systems work.
Chapter 2 | Fitts’s Law| Quiz and Test
1.Fitts's Law states that larger and closer targets are
easier to select than smaller and distant targets.
2.According to Fitts's Law, sufficient spacing between touch
targets is not necessary for accurate selection.
3.The concept of Fitts’s Law was first introduced by Paul
Fitts in 1954, focusing on human motion and interaction.

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Chapter 3 | Miller’s Law| Quiz and Test
1.Miller's Law states that the average person can
keep approximately 7 (± 2) items in their working
memory.
2.Miller's Law suggests that designers should strictly limit
navigation items to no more than seven to enhance
usability.
3.Chunking information into smaller segments can lead to
better memory retention and user experience.

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Chapter 4 | Hick’s Law| Quiz and Test
1.According to Hick's Law, decision time increases
with the number of choices available.
2.Oversimplifying a design is always beneficial and never
leads to confusion.
3.Breaking complex tasks into smaller steps can help reduce
mental effort for users.
Chapter 5 | Postel’s Law| Quiz and Test
1.Postel's Law emphasizes empathy, flexibility, and
tolerance for user actions and inputs.
2.According to Postel's Law, outputs should be unpredictable
and tailored to specific user inputs.
3.User interviews should include rigid questions to ensure
data consistency.
Chapter 6 | Peak–End Rule| Quiz and Test
1.The peak-end rule suggests that people evaluate
experiences based on the average of the entire
experience rather than peak moments.
2.Designing experiences that highlight valuable moments can

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positively influence user retention according to the
peak-end rule.
3.Negative experiences have no significant effect on a user's
overall impression of a service or product, according to the
peak-end rule.

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Chapter 7 | Aesthetic–Usability Effect| Quiz and Test
1.Aesthetically pleasing designs do not influence
users' perceived usability.
2.Users are more forgiving of minor usability issues in
visually appealing designs.
3.The aesthetic-usability effect was first studied by Kurosu
and Kashimura in the year 2000.
Chapter 8 | Von Restorff Effect| Quiz and Test
1.The von Restorff effect indicates that items which
differ from others are harder to remember.
2.Using distinct visuals for important information can help
direct user attention in digital design.
3.Excessive visual emphasis in design is recommended to
ensure all content is noticed by users.
Chapter 9 | Tesler’s Law| Quiz and Test
1.Tesler’s law asserts that a certain amount of
complexity in any system can be entirely designed
away.
2.According to Tesler’s law, designers should minimize user

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burden by addressing inherent complexity during the
design phase.
3.The concept of complexity bias suggests that users prefer
simpler solutions to complex ones.

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Chapter 10 | Doherty Threshold| Quiz and Test
1.The Doherty Threshold states that providing
system feedback within 400 ms can enhance user
attention and productivity.
2.The original threshold for acceptable response time was set
at four seconds, according to the Doherty Threshold.
3.Using animations during loading can help engage users and
improve their overall experience.
Chapter 11 | Applying Psychological Principles in
Design| Quiz and Test
1.Designers can improve user experiences by
understanding behavioral and cognitive
psychology. Is this statement true?
2.Creating awareness of psychological concepts is optional
for designers. Is this statement true?
3.Establishing design principles helps ensure consistency and
clarity in decision-making. Is this statement true?
Chapter 12 | With Power Comes Responsibility|
Quiz and Test
1.Designers have significant power that comes with

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ethical responsibilities related to user experience
design.
2.Intermittent Variable Rewards, like those seen in social
media notifications, discourage repeated user behavior.
3.Embracing friction in design is considered detrimental and
should be avoided at all costs.

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