Defining user experience design principles: The key elements behind great design
- Rosie Berrecloth
- 10 hours ago
- 4 min read
Our Senior Designer, Lee, wanted to level up his User Experience (UX) design skills. Here’s a peek into his journey and the top things he’s learned along the way!
Read more: Understanding the foundations of UX Design
User experience (UX) design is all about creating products that are not only functional but also enjoyable and intuitive for users. Strong user experience design principles help shape how people interact with digital products, making every journey feel smooth and rewarding.
Great UX doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built on a few core principles that guide how users find their way, make decisions, and feel along the journey. Here are ten key elements that define great UX – and why they matter.
Information architecture: A core part of user experience design principles
Information architecture (IA) is the framework that holds everything together. It decides where content lives and how it’s organised – so people can find what they need without thinking twice.
When done well, IA feels invisible. But when it’s off, users notice instantly. Good IA helps by:
Organising content logically across the site
Grouping information so users find things quickly
Shaping navigation so moving around feels natural
In short, strong IA makes everything easier to find, understand, and use.
User flow: Mapping the journey
User flow is the route people take through your site or app. Mapping this out early helps ensure every step makes sense and leads naturally to the next.
When planning user flow, think about:
How each screen fits into the bigger picture
The order of actions users take
What happens in different states (loading, errors, confirmations)
Good flow means users can complete tasks smoothly – no dead ends, no confusion.
Clear design: Making content understandable
Accessibility isn’t just about meeting technical standards; it’s about making sure everyone can understand and interact with your content. A clear design answers three questions right away:
What does it do?
What should I do?
Where do I start?
When users can answer these instantly – whether they’re using a mouse, touchscreen, or screen reader – you’ve got a design that works for everyone.
Managing effort and reward
People naturally weigh up effort versus reward. Online, that means they’ll only complete a task if they know what to expect. Be upfront about:
How long something will take
What’s involved
What they’ll get in return
What happens next
A little clarity goes a long way in keeping users engaged and confident.
Read more: The role of User Research in UX design
Affordances: Making actions obvious
Affordances are visual cues that tell users how something works – like a button that looks pressable or a link that changes colour on hover. They help users:
Understand how to interact with the interface
Avoid mistakes
Use your product without second-guessing themselves
The more intuitive these cues are, the smoother the experience feels.
Design conventions: Keep it familiar
Some patterns are so universal they’ve become second nature – like the play/pause icons or the hamburger menu. Stray too far from these conventions, and users may feel lost.
Innovation is great, but it should never come at the cost of usability. The best designs balance creativity with familiarity.
Feedback: Keeping users in the loop
Feedback is what reassures users that their actions are working. A highlight, a sound, or a message saying “Done!” tells them they’re on track.
Good feedback makes an interface feel alive – guiding users, confirming progress, and helping them fix mistakes quickly.
Positive constraints: Guiding the right choices
Sometimes less really is more. Positive constraints help users by narrowing options and steering them towards the right path.
For example, limiting dropdown choices or breaking a complex form into steps helps users make decisions confidently – and avoids frustration.
Forgiveness: Designing for mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes – and great design helps them recover easily.
Undo buttons, clear error messages, and recovery options turn potential frustration into reassurance. When users feel safe exploring, they’re more likely to engage fully.
Progressive disclosure: Showing what matters most
Progressive disclosure means showing information bit by bit – revealing more as users need it. It keeps things simple by:
Showing only essential options first
Revealing extra details on demand
Breaking long processes into smaller steps
This reduces overwhelm and keeps users focused on what’s important.
Wrapping up
By applying these user experience design principles, designers can create experiences that feel effortless, engaging, and built around real user needs.
At Threerooms, we believe the best designs are clear, simple, and human. If you want to create digital experiences that people love using, get in touch – we’d love to help bring your vision to life.
❓Need some help? Get in touch today.
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