“Wouldn’t it be cool…” and other bad design approaches - Billy Hollis - NDC London 2023

Learn effective design approaches to create user-centered designs that truly meet user needs. Discover common pitfalls and how to avoid them, and understand the importance of user feedback, testing, and iteration.

Key takeaways
  • Don’t design for assumptions: Designers should not assume they know what users want or need. Instead, involve users in the design process and gather feedback.
  • Aesthetics are not enough: Design is not just about aesthetics. It is also about usability, functionality, and user-centered design.
  • Don’t focus on being cool: Designers should not focus on creating a “cool” design just for the sake of it. Instead, they should focus on creating a design that is functional and meets the needs of users.
  • Design from user needs: Designers should design from the user’s needs, not from their own assumptions or biases.
  • Don’t overdesign: Overdesigning can lead to a design that is overly complex and difficult to use. Designers should prioritize simplicity and usability.
  • Design is not a personal preference: Design is not a matter of personal taste. Instead, it is about creating a design that is functional and meets the needs of users.
  • Assumptions kill design: Assumptions about what users want or need can kill design. Designers should test their assumptions and gather feedback from users.
  • Don’t make users figure it out: Designers should not make users figure out how to use a design. Instead, they should make it easy and intuitive for users to use.
  • Use design systems: Design systems can help teams create a consistent and user-centered design.
  • Don’t underestimate the user: Designers should not underestimate the capabilities of users. Instead, they should design for the user’s needs and capabilities.
  • Test and iterate: Designers should test and iterate on their designs, gathering feedback from users and making changes as needed.
  • Don’t design in a vacuum: Designers should not design in a vacuum, without involving users or considering the context in which the design will be used.