A Lesson in Simplicity: Clutter vs. Clarity
An overly crowded app or product is very much like walking into a room full of items that do not belong there.
Picture this:
You step into what you think is a bedroom, anticipating a cozy bed, perhaps some books, maybe even a wardrobe.
- Seems pretty straightforward, right?
But instead, the room is packed with all sorts of random items. There's a big sofa, a kitchenette, and even a roller coaster squeezed in there.
- Yup, it's as crazy as it sounds!
Now, imagine the owner of this room says they want to add a swimming pool.
- Seriously?
- Adding more stuff to an already jam-packed space just doesn't make sense.
This scenario humorously mirrors the dilemma I face in many projects:
A product that is filled with too many features, like a room packed with mismatched Items.
The Solution: Embracing Minimalism
According to studies users evaluate the credibility of a website primarily based on its visual appearance(1). An impression that determines whether they choose to stay or leave.
Seeing the problem of making a crowded situation even worse, I suggested a bold move:
- Getting rid of unnecessary items.
By removing what's not needed, I aimed to find out what the product is really about, just like cleaning a room to see its main use.
The process of deciding which features to remove:
When deciding which features to remove from your product, consider these streamlined steps:
- Clarity over Complexity: Users should be able to effortlessly navigate through the interfaces without having to decode complex layouts or functionalities. By prioritising simplicity, you can minimise cognitive load and enhance user engagement.
- The Principle of Least Effort: “Don't Make Me Think" introduces the concept of the principle of least effort, suggesting that users will choose the path of least resistance when interacting with a website or application. By eliminating unnecessary steps you can create seamless user journeys that increase satisfaction and retention(2).
- Importance of Usability Testing: By observing real users interact with your product you can identify pain points, uncover usability issues, and iterate on the designs to improve the overall usability.
- Guiding Users with Visual Hierarchy: Visual hierarchy plays a crucial role in directing users' attention and guiding them through the interface. Design elements such as color, contrast, and typography can be strategically employed to emphasise important content and create intuitive navigation pathways.
- Accessibility and Inclusivity: Ensuring accessibility for all users, including those with disabilities, is a fundamental aspect. The importance of designing with empathy and adopting inclusive design practices to create digital experiences that are accessible to everyone.
The Guiding Philosophy: Keep It Simple
The key is to figure out what your app is truly about—the core problem it solves or the unique value it provides—and stick to that. By honing your app's primary purpose, you can create a more focused and optimised user experience.
Thanks for reading my article!
// Paulina
Sources and more info on this topic:
- https://userguiding.com/blog/ux-statistics-trends/
- https://www.scribd.com/document/91357203/Don-t-Make-Me-Think
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