Are you curious about the UX Myths in 2021? Then look no further.
Design is everywhere. From the dress you’re wearing to the smartphone you’re holding, it’s design.
by Samadara Ginige, Designer and Developer
We all know design is important but Product Design/UX is also an important part of a successful product but when a beginner starts designing he/she may hear some misconception about UX.
It’s a little bit hard to design great UX, things also get difficult because of UX myths going around especially for beginners. So, the first thing you must do is identify these myths and make sure you don’t believe them.
This article has a UX myths list, I breakdown almost all myths.
I categorized a list of up-to-date myths below.
Click to jump to a section, or keep reading for our UX Myths.
Top UX Myths
- UI is the same as UX
Some people are confused between UI and UX. UI is about the element you see in the website or application on the other hand UX is about the experience like how buttons behave.
For example, Button is a UI block but where it placed for better accessibility is UX
- People don’t scroll.
It’s a quite popular misconception that people don’t scroll. People scroll even you are right now scrolling this page to read the rest of the article right?
- Simple means Minimal
Simplicity is about the reduction of complexity of a product and Minimalist is about reduction of elements. Simplicity is often confused with minimalist style. Simple looking, minimal product UIs often carry hidden complexity.
- All pages should be accessible in 3 clicks or three-click rule
It’s quite popular in mid-nineties People don’t leave your site or app if they’re unable to find the desired information in 3 clicks or taps. It’s doesn’t mean you don’t worry about ease of navigation, navigation is still very important.
- People read on the web
You might be wondering why this is a myth, even you are reading this then why its a myth, Well it’s a myth because people read on the web but not all the stuff, so you should keep it in your mind.
- UX Designers thinks as users
The problem is that you as a Designer already know a lot about the website or application. You are already know how it operates and you have a deep-down knowledge about its backside things. On the other hand, users don’t care that much because they want to get things done using your website or application.
- Good UX design can be ugly
The scientists from the Stanford University seem to agree. According to their study, nearly half of users associate a website’s credibility with its appearance. Users are much more likely to believe a website is worth their time if it looks good.
- The design has to be original
Many designers would rather attempt reinventing the wheel than to adapt conventional user interface design patterns. It should be considered, however, that such design conventions are well-working because they’ve already been introduced and tested for usability. Since the users know them well, you don’t need any explanation or instruction manual. As users appreciate usability over novelties, standard patterns will eventually benefit your audience.
- Icons improve the usability
A lot of Researchers have shown that icons are hard to remember and are often highly inefficient.
Example: The Microsoft Outlook toolbar, the former icon-only toolbar had poor usability, and changing the icons and their positioning didn’t help much.
- Stock photos improve the users’ experience
Eye-tracking researches show that stock photos very rarely add value to a website and even less to a mobile app. They more often harm than improve the users’ experience.
- More choices and features give the user more satisfaction
Studies show that having too many options often leads to decision paralysis and frustration. As a general rule, people only value an abundance of features before they start using the given product. After they have started using it, the simpler solution wins with higher satisfaction.
- People always use your product the way you imagined they would
If a product was designed to fulfill specific and known user needs, customers don’t always use it the way and for the purpose, the product was originally intended. In many cases, users don’t care or don’t understand how a product works, and once they find a way to use it, they’ll stick to it.
For example, type URLs into the Google search bar instead of the browser’s address bar.
Website UX Myths
- White space is a waste of valuable screen
- The homepage is your most important page
- Search will solve a website’s navigation problems
- You need to redesign your website periodically
- You don’t need the content to design a website
Mobile UX Myths
- Mobile users need fewer features than desktop users
- Mobile users are distracted
- Mobile users are on the go
- Mobile apps are isolated experiences
- Users are always connected to the internet
Technical UX Myths
- UX design is 100% technical
- The design tool I use makes all the difference in my productivity and output.
UX requirement Myths
- UX design requires heavy user research
- UX is Incredibly Expensive
- UX Research is Easy
- Anyone can do UX
- UX Testing Needs to be Done in the End
- Good UX needs to take the user by the hand from start to finish
- You only need 5 users to spot 80% of the issues
- Usability testing is expensive
UX Prototype Myths
- Prototypes Take Too Much Time
- Prototypes Are the Final Designs
User’s Myths
- Users Don’t Know What They Want
- Users make optimal choices
- UX is only about the user
Other UX myths
- Design means looking good
- UI first, UX last
- UX design is about usability
- If your design is good, small details don’t matter
- Accessible sites are ugly
- Graphics will make a page element more visible
- A UX designer is an analytical type that deals with user research and data.
- If you are an expert, you don’t need to test your design
- Aesthetics are not important if you have good usability
- One size fits all
- UX Design Stops at the Edges of the Product
Did I miss out on any cool or important UX Myths? Let me know on Twitter.
