Why your Brain ? Great UX: Part 2

The Power of Familiarity

When was the last time you felt frustrated because an app didn’t work the way you expected? That frustration stems from a violation of Jakob’s Law, which states: “Users spend most of their time on other websites. They prefer your site to work the same way as all the others they already know.”

Why It Matters: Familiarity builds trust. When users encounter interfaces or patterns they recognize, they feel more confident navigating and interacting. On the flip side, breaking away from conventions can lead to confusion and user errors—two things no designer wants.

Example in Action: Facebook’s design consistency is a prime example of leveraging familiarity. From its mobile app to its desktop site, key features like the newsfeed, profile page, and messaging remain intuitive and easy to find, no matter how the platform evolves. This predictability ensures users feel at home across different devices.

Practical Tips for Designers:

1. Stick to Established Patterns: Use common design patterns for navigation, buttons, and forms. For example, a magnifying glass universally indicates search.
2. Balance Innovation with Usability: If you introduce a novel design element, ensure users can quickly learn and adapt to it through visual cues or onboarding.
3. Consistency is Key: Maintain uniformity in typography, colors, and layout across your product to create a cohesive experience.

By designing with familiarity in mind, you can help users feel confident and in control, which ultimately leads to a more satisfying and effective experience.