International UX Design - Episode #2

Author: Stefania Russo - Localization and UX Content expert

In the previous post, we discussed what UX Localization is and why it's crucial when expanding your products into new markets.

Today, we'll explore the key considerations necessary to design a product that resonates with users worldwide.

One of the critical topics to address early in the product strategy is creating a product that's easily usable across the markets you plan to expand into. Failing to plan for this early on may result in the need for significant changes from both design and development perspectives, which isn't really efficient.

International UX Design precedes product localization and involves integrating core feature design, usability practices, UI considerations, and localization best practices.

So, what are the primary considerations UX Designers should keep in mind when designing for global audiences?

1. Allow for Longer Translations

Insufficient space for translations is a common internationalization issue. Translated text typically expands by around 30% compared to the original English text. Additionally, some alphabets require more space due to larger characters.

What designers can do:

• Make components expandable where possible.
• Always include a character limit indication.
• Avoid narrow columns to prevent layout issues in localized versions.

2. Consider Different Language Structures

Languages have varied word orderings and plural forms. A design that is dependent on specific word orders won't work universally.

What designers can do:

• Avoid embedding UI elements within sentences to prevent grammatical errors.
• Use adaptable sentence structures to accommodate various language constructions.

3. Keep in mind Right-to-Left Languages

Languages such as Arabic and Hebrew, amongst others, are written from right to left, requiring mirrored UI layouts for readability.

4. Account for Different Currency Formats

Consider currency symbols, their placement (before or after the value), and formatting, including how negative values are displayed.

5. Design for Different Date and Time Formats

Use variables or placeholders instead of hardcoding dates and times to accommodate formatting differences across languages.

6. Consider Cultural Interpretations of Colors and Emojis

Colors and symbols can carry different meanings across cultures. For example, a thumbs-up gesture may convey approval in Western cultures but be perceived as an insult in certain regions of the Middle East.

7. Avoid Using Flags to Represent Languages

Flags represent countries, not languages. Instead, provide language selectors with enough space for native language names.

I hope you find these tips helpful. In the next post, we'll delve into how Localization Specialists can assist UX Designers in implementing these considerations effectively.