Member-only story
Is UX design regressing today ?
Analyzing a weird shared feeling
It’s a question that comes up regularly and especially a feeling shared on social networks. For a few years now, there has been a feeling that the UX design of applications is regressing and more generally that digital ergonomics are not as good as they used to be.
Where does this feeling come from and is it a reality?
UX has become mainstream
UX design is a very recent discipline. Although it was born in the 90s, it was not until 20 years ago that designers specialized in this aspect of product design appeared on the job market. Before the 2010s, user experience was a secondary element of design.
Two logics existed then:
- Utility, software maximized its value proposition, and users were expected to learn how to use the software by following a manual
- Usability, products maximized ergonomics to ensure that the software had a logical and easy-to-use interface.
Don Norman said in his first version of “the design of everyday things” that usability was the most important aspect of product design. It is only in his second revision that he will come back to this notion and explain that emotional, aesthetic, and playful aspects are essential to product design.
Ux design is not something related to the presence of a specific element. It’s about the overall experience users will have when they interact with a product.
A good user experience is therefore based on :
- The usefulness of the product, what does it allow to do better than before
- Ergonomics, is the product adapted to the user, his physical, psychological, and social characteristics?
- Its aesthetics, is the product beautiful and makes you want to go towards it?
- Its playful aspects, does the product seem fun to use?
All these aspects create a holistic experience when interacting with the product. We want this experience to be as…
