The significance of UI design is so profound that it can determine whether a website or an application thrives or falters, potentially leaving a lasting negative impression on the user—or, in the worst case, failing to make any impact at all!
In the realm of crafting top-notch applications and websites, every minor aspect plays a pivotal role. So without further ado, here are 7 UI design mistakes to avoid at all costs.
1. Lack of text hierarchy
The fundamental component of informational content is text, and this underscores the critical importance of ensuring its legibility and organization. Well-structured text enhances users' ability to comprehend information.
2. Chafing contrast
One of the worst features of a bad website or an application is bad contrast. Good contrast and knowing how to use contrast consistently across all pages will set your design apart. One of the biggest crimes a designer can commit is ignoring the power of contrast.
3. Navigational woes
One of the sure-fire ways to drive users away is to confuse them with complex navigation. Great interfaces have one thing in common — they are intuitive; the user knows exactly where to go and what to do next. The best way to ensure seamlessness is by first streamlining your navigation bar. Get rid of the frills and keep them uncluttered. Place all navigation channels across all pages in one common area and ensure that sidebars don’t encroach on the navigation bar’s space.
4. On load overlays
One common UI design mistake that can significantly impact user experience is the excessive use of on-page overlays. While overlays can be effective for drawing attention to important information or actions, overusing them can lead to a cluttered and confusing interface. Pop-ups, modals, and lightboxes that appear too frequently or unnecessarily can disrupt the user's flow and create a sense of frustration. Designers should carefully consider when and where to implement overlays, ensuring they enhance rather than hinder the user's journey through the website or application.
5. Background video
Background videos can add visual appeal to a website, but using them indiscriminately or with excessive movement can become a significant UI design mistake. When implemented poorly, these videos can distract users from the main content, making it difficult for them to focus on essential information. Autoplaying videos, especially those with loud audio, can be jarring and disrupt the overall user experience.
6. Little distinction between primary and secondary buttons
When working with apps, you will have many actions that the user is able to complete. It is important to give visual importance to the primary actions. All the navigation happens through buttons, so you have to make it easy for the user to identify the primary buttons by making them bold and prominent. Secondary actions should be less prominent but still visible if the user is looking for them.
7. Poor touch target on mobile and tablets
Small touch targets are frustrating because they can make it difficult for the user to complete their desired action. We’ve all experienced the frustration of tapping the wrong button on our smartphone and having to wait while the wrong screen loads!
So, when designing clickable elements, remember that users come equipped with different sized fingers.
Create finger-friendly targets by keeping in mind that the average width of an adult index finger is 1.6 to 2cm.
Make your touch target at least 45-57 pixels wide. This will give users enough room to hit the target without having to worry about accuracy.
Conclusion
Designing a website, a great one at that, is no cakewalk,the final goal for UI designers is to produce intuitive and aesthetic interfaces. It must generate trust, which leads to more conversions. Keep all these mistakes in mind as a checklist of things to avoid while designing, and pretty soon you may find that you already dominate these design principles and don’t need that list in front of you anymore.