Bad design is what we are used to… history is repeating itself
The public is more familiar with bad design than good design. It is, in effect, conditioned to prefer bad design, because that is what it lives with. The new becomes threatening, the old reassuring.
The importance of good UX/UI design is increasingly becoming recognized as more businesses recognize the value of creating a user-centred design approach. However, the reality is that the public is more familiar with bad design than good design. It is, in effect, conditioned to prefer bad design because that is what it lives with. The new becomes threatening, the old reassuring. In this article, we will explore this phenomenon and discuss how businesses can overcome this challenge to create better user experiences.
First, let us understand why the public is conditioned to prefer bad design. The answer lies in our experiences with technology and the internet. The internet has been around for over two decades, and during this time, we have seen significant changes in the way we interact with technology. However, not all these changes have been good. Many early websites were poorly designed, with confusing navigation, slow loading times, and cluttered interfaces. As a result, users have become accustomed to poor design and have learned to tolerate it.
The problem with this conditioning is that it can create a significant barrier for businesses trying to implement good design. Users may be resistant to change and may struggle to adapt to new designs, even if they are more intuitive and efficient. This can lead to frustration and ultimately impact user engagement and conversion rates.
So, what can businesses do to overcome this challenge? The first step is to understand that good design is not just about aesthetics. It is about creating a user-centred approach that takes into account the needs and behaviours of your target audience. This means conducting user research and testing to ensure that your design is intuitive, easy to use and meets the needs of your users.
Another key factor in overcoming this challenge is education. By educating users on the benefits of good design, businesses can help shift perceptions and break down barriers. This can include providing tutorials or demos to help users understand how to use new interfaces and explaining the benefits of a user-centred design approach.
Finally, it is essential to focus on the user experience as a whole. This means creating a seamless experience across all touchpoints, from the website to mobile apps to social media. By providing a consistent and intuitive experience, businesses can create a sense of familiarity that can help users adapt to new designs more easily.
In conclusion, the public is more familiar with bad design than good design, and this can create a significant barrier for businesses trying to implement better user experiences. However, by focusing on user-centred design, education, and creating a seamless experience across all touchpoints, businesses can overcome this challenge and create better user experiences that drive engagement and conversion. Ultimately, the goal should be to create a design that is both aesthetically pleasing and intuitive, providing users with a positive experience that keeps them coming back for more.