How can you design an intuitive user interface for a wide range of consumers?

The intuitiveness of a UI design depends on who's going to utilize it. Whether a kid or an elderly or something in between, always determine the audience whom you're designing this thing to.

Keep in mind that not every user will perfectly match your demographics. A great example would be disabled people- humans can have wildly different experiences, but they may still have the same goals and they still deserve access to the tools that help them achieve those goals. The more accessible your product is, the easier and more intuitive it will be for everyone, disabled or not, so make sure to always include accessibility your design solutions!

For intuitive UI design, prioritize simplicity, consistency, feedback, affordance, and accessibility. Simplify interfaces like Apple's iOS for clarity, use consistent design elements as Google's Material Design does, and ensure instant feedback with animations similar to YouTube's loading icons. Incorporate accessibility features akin to Amazon Kindle's text-to-speech, making tech accessible for all. These key practices in consumer electronics UI design enhance usability and user experience.

Don't shy away from insights that come to you when you're off the clock. Many creatives find that the ideas they have outside of work give them much needed inspiration on the job! Consider keeping a journal or sketchbook to capture the ideas that pop into your head when you least expect it- like just before falling asleep, as soon as you wake up, when you're brushing your teeth, walking the dog, playing with your kids, or whatever it might be. These ideas can give your work a unique, out-of-the-box style that attracts users.

I had an art lesson in high school that really stuck with me. My teacher noticed that I was particularly emotionally attached to a charcoal piece that I had spent a few classes on, so they snatched it away and literally put it under the faucet and ran water over it. My artwork was ruined and I was heartbroken, and my teacher said, "Don't do this to yourself. When you put your art out in the world, tons of people will hate it. That doesn't mean it wasn't good, it's just not what they wanted. Once you create something, let it go. You can't control the outcome." It's not unlike Design: you need to accept that your brilliant design might just not be what the users want. Tempting as it is, don't get too attached and be ready to iterate!

Start with a niche and expand out. A common mistake that people make is designing to please everyone and then in turn creating something that is useful to no one. You will find if you design with a particular type of user in mind and creating a great experience for them that you will ultimately create a great product for many more types of users! Instead, focus on the heuristics of good information architecture and user experience design. Use ChatGPT to edit your copy to make it as simple and easy to read as possible.