What do you do if your user experience design is innovative but lacks usability?

1 Assess Honestly

Begin by conducting an honest assessment of your design. Gather feedback from real users to identify where the usability issues lie. Are users finding certain features difficult to understand or use? Is the navigation causing frustration? This step is about swallowing pride and listening carefully to the voice of your audience. By understanding the specific usability problems, you can make targeted improvements without compromising the innovative aspects of your design.

3 Simplify Elements

Once you've identified the problem areas, it's time to simplify. Look at each innovative feature and ask if it serves a clear purpose. If it doesn't, consider removing it or redesigning it to be more user-friendly. Simplification doesn't mean sacrificing creativity; it means making your design more approachable so that users can appreciate and utilize your innovative ideas without feeling overwhelmed.

4 Prioritize Function

Prioritizing function over form can be challenging, especially when innovation is the hallmark of your design. However, remember that a user's ability to effectively use a product is paramount. Review each innovative feature and evaluate its impact on the overall functionality of the design. Make necessary adjustments to ensure that these features enhance the user experience rather than detract from it.

5 Iterate Relentlessly

Design is an iterative process. Use the feedback and data gathered from user testing to refine your design continually. Don't be afraid to go back to the drawing board if necessary. Iteration allows you to hone in on a design that maintains its innovative edge while improving usability. Each cycle of iteration should bring you closer to a balance between novelty and user-friendliness.

6 Educate Users

Sometimes, the issue isn't with the design itself but with how users understand it. In such cases, educating your users can bridge the gap between innovation and usability. Develop tutorials, guides, or in-app tips to help users navigate the new features. By providing the right educational tools, you can ease users into the innovative aspects of your design, making it more usable without diluting its originality.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?