When people hear “engaging design”, many of them picture busy designs packed with animations. But they don't ask themselves whether they, as users, would actually use a platform (a website or a mobile app) with that design. Maybe they do ask, but because it's their own product, the answer is “of course”. You have to think: will someone who knows nothing about this product be able to use it the first time they see it?
In this article we'll try to answer these questions together and talk about the steps to creating a design that meets our customers' needs and is comfortable for them to use.
How do you create a user-friendly design?
According to research, people increasingly find designs more engaging when they are aesthetically simple, have a direct and easy-to-understand subject and are comfortable to use. On top of that, how fast the platform loads and moves between screens (whether it's a website or a mobile app) also affects users' decisions.
That's why it's no surprise that in recent years designers who take these preferences into account have moved to minimalist design. But it's worth noting that minimalism doesn't mean “easy design”. On the contrary, for designers it sometimes turns into a big problem.
Minimal design means removing every function that doesn't directly serve the platform's purpose. After that, the platform becomes a tool that only does the job it's needed for. That's why some points need special attention when you create a minimal design.
It must give its message clearly
Before creating a website or a mobile app, you have to define its functionality and the message it will give. Here you should take a goal in line with what your brand does and choose a message that fits it. At the design stage, you shouldn't stray from that goal.
Say you're building a website to sell a product. Then the moment the user lands on the site, they should see that product and get to the checkout page in one click. If the user spends seconds looking for the button to the checkout page, you will most likely lose them.
Distractions should be kept to a minimum
By distractions we mean pop-up ads, unnecessary images and information, and so on. You should assess your platform's design and remove everything that has nothing to do with its purpose.
The best method to use at this stage is the 80/20 rule. According to it, 80 percent of your users will use only 20 percent of your platform. So rather than adding new features, improving that 20 percent of features will make your users happier.
The number of choices should be reduced
One of the most important steps toward a user-friendly design is keeping the number of choices low. For users, more choices mean more time spent, which sometimes ends with them not choosing anything at all.
It's always best to design your website or mobile app so that it serves its purpose, lets users finish what they came for in the shortest time and reach the result in a few clicks.
Colour scheme and layout
In minimalist design, as in every other type of design, the main parts should stand out more. The chosen colours and layout should be pleasing to the eye. People often misunderstand this, thinking that in minimalist design sections should be black and white or use only pale colours. On the contrary, creating a nice combination with lively colours makes users feel better when they arrive on the platform and keeps them there longer.
Another key point is creating an elegant design through the right use of white space. Buttons and information crammed close together always confuse users and make things harder for them.
Users should be listened to
The most important point is this: you have to get your users' opinions and improve the design based on what they say. For that, you need to stay in constant contact with them, track their actions on your platform with special tools and collect data.
If you don't give the people you're trying to sell your product to what they want, they don't have to stay. Sometimes we think we know best and avoid changes. But don't forget: “The customer is always right.” Just convince people that your platform is what they want.
“If you want to build a boat, don't make people cut wood, chase everyone after a task and rain orders left and right. Just teach people to feel the beauty of the endless, boundless sea.” — Leland Bell
