The 10 Commandments of Design

1. Hick’s Law

Every additional choice increases the time to complete an action. This means that the more options a user has when using your website or web application the more difficult it will be to use. This law really speaks the importance of simplicity.

2. The Pareto Principal, or the 80/20 Rule

A high percentage of users will perform a low percentage of actions. In terms of web applications, most of your users will perform a small percentage of tasks. Using the 80/20 rule can help prioritize features or remove unnecessary functionality that may only cater to 20% of users.

3. Proximity

Elements that are near each other will appear related. Space around elements are key.

4. Feedback

Giving a user a clear indication that something has happened, is happening, or could happen.

5. Fitt’s Law

The larger we can make the clickable areas the easier it will be to interact with.

6. Occam’s Razor

Simplicity over complexity. Less is more. “A design isn’t finished when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” (look at 80/20 rule)
7. Mental Models

It is easier for users to understand and learn from something new if it has been modeled off of something they already understand. (ex. iOS Human Interface Guidelines, traffic lights)

8. The Rule Of Thirds

Breaking up a rectangle into thirds both vertically and horizontally to achieve balance. Using a grid can assist with spacing elements and identifying focal points.

9. The Golden Ratio

Breaking up a rectangle into a square and smaller rectangle and the continuing that process. This can help in achieving a balanced composition.

10. Fibonacci Sequence

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8… Designing using sequence. (ex. Sequence in spacing or font sizes)