Great UX is more than just aestheticsits understanding how people think, feel, and behave. Discover the essential principles that can transform the way you think, complete with real-world examples to create intuitive and impactful user experiences.Understanding how humans think, perceive, and behave is essential for conducting effective research and creating impactful designs. Psychology bridges the gap between user needs and intuitive experiences, helping researchers uncover deeper insights and designers craft user-friendly solutions.As a music psychologist-turned-UX researcher, Ive seen firsthand how psychological insights can transform user experiences. Whether youre simplifying designs, guiding user behaviour, or evoking emotions, psychology is at the heart of every great UX decision.So, what principles are a must-know for researchers and designers alike? Lets explore the psychological insights that will elevate your approach to creating meaningful experiences.Gestalt principles: designing for perceptionGestalt principles describe how humans visually process and group elements. There are over 10 principles, but key ideas include proximity, where we group closer-together items; similarity, where we group similar items; and closure, where our mind fills in the missing information.Why it matters for researchers: Understanding how users visually group elements can reveal usability issues or cognitive overload in a design. This insight can guide recommendations to restructure the design, based on how users perceive and process the information.Why it matters for designers: By leveraging Gestalt principles, designers can create intuitive and organised interfaces, reducing cognitive effort and ensuring users can find what they needquickly.Google homepage: a classic example of Gestalt Principles, drawing attention to the functions that matter without room for confusion.Googles homepage is a classic application of proximity and simplicity. The search bar and associated buttons are grouped centrally, immediately drawing attention without distractions.Cognitive load theory: simplify forclarityCognitive load theory explains that our brains can only process a limited amount of information at a time. Since working memory has limited capacity, overloading users with excessive choices, text, or features can lead to frustration and task abandonment.Why it matters for researchers: Identifying where users experience cognitive overload can guide the prioritisation of features orcontent.Why it matters for designers: Simplifying interfaces and reducing unnecessary complexity helps users complete tasks efficiently, improving satisfaction and usability.Apples product page for the iPhone 16 Pro gradually reveals information about each feature and gives users control of which information todisplay.Apples product pages are a great example, as they focus on a clean layout with minimal text. The page uses a progressive disclosure design, where information about the device is revealed gradually as the user interacts with the page. This gives users control over the pace and depth of information they receive, to avoid overwhelming them.Hicks law: simplify decision-makingHicks Law states that the time it takes to make a decision increases with the number of choices available. When users are presented with too many options, they experience decision paralysis and may drop out of the process. Simplifying decision-making by reducing the number of choices can lead to quicker and more confident decisions.Why it matters for researchers: Researchers need to understand how decision fatigue impacts users during usability testing. By recognising when users struggle with too many choices, researchers can structure tests that focus on helping users navigate efficiently, while also considering how long it takes them to make decisions. Understanding these dynamics helps in interpreting task completion times and pinpointing areas where users might get stuck due to an overload ofoptions.Why it matters for designers: Limiting choices or organising them into categories makes navigation smoother and decision-making faster, organising things in a way that makes sense to the user. When users are presented with fewer, more relevant options or categories, they can make decisions more quickly and easily, improving overall usability and satisfaction.A step in Spotifys onboarding process, where you are asked to choose just three artists to moveforward.Spotifys onboarding process simplifies music preferences by asking users to select just three favourite artists to move forward, instead of overwhelming them with the entirelibrary.Fittss law: optimise interactionFittss Law highlights the relationship between the size of a target and the time required to reach it. In the case of UX, this examines the relationship between a pointer, such as a mouse cursor, human finger or hand; and the interaction with a physical or digital button. Larger and closer targets are easier and quicker to interact with than smaller, more distantones.Why it matters for researchers: Observing how users interact with touch targets can highlight accessibility issues. If users struggle to click on small or poorly spaced elements, this can indicate problems with the design that hinder usability. By paying attention to how users physically engage with the interface, researchers can identify areas where the user experience can be improved.Why it matters for designers: Ensuring buttons and interactive elements are large enough, have ample spacing between them and are within easy reach enhances accessibility and usability.Instagram interface, with the bar at the bottom with larger buttons optimised for quick tab switching, and clear buttons under feed posts being smaller yet well spaced and positioned for optimal functionality.For example, Instagram uses large, clearly labelled buttons for key actions. The bottom bar includes all key functionalities needed quickly for exploring the platform, such as home, search, and reels; as well as the key features of posting and accessing your profile. Under posts, buttons are smaller, yet socially interactive elements such as liking, commenting, and sharing are smaller icons but grouped for easy accessibility on one side; and on the other, saving for personalaccess.The peak-end rule: designing memorable experiencesThe peak-end rule suggests that people judge experiences based on the most intense moments and how they end, rather than the overall experience. So, designing memorable peaks and positive endings can leave users with lasting impressions.Why it matters for researchers: Analysing peaks and endings in user journeys can uncover moments of key satisfaction or frustration. By focusing on the most intense parts of the experience and how it concludes, researchers can uncover the critical points that influence users overall perception of a product or service. This insight can guide improvements that focus on enhancing these memorable moments.Why it matters for designers: Creating delightful moments and smooth conclusions enhances user satisfaction and loyalty. Focusing on memorable moments can strengthen the emotional connection users have with aproduct.Duolingos fun animations and celebratory sounds from the middle of an exercise through to the end, encouraging the user and involving elements of gamification such asstreaks.Duolingo incorporates fun animations and celebratory sounds in the middle and at the end of lessons, making users feel accomplished. The inclusion of streaks also adds an element of gamification, further motivating users to return. They also recently released their Year in Review feature, which is a great example of this principle in action. You can read more in my previous articlehere.Social proof: building trust throughothersSocial proof is the psychological phenomenon where people look to others for guidance on how to behave, especially in uncertain situations. For example, in UX this applies to gaining sign-ups. Showcasing reviews, ratings, and testimonials build trust and encourage conversions or product sales and engagement.Why it matters for researchers: Understanding the role of social proof can guide the prioritisation of trust-building features in product recommendations. This can be particularly useful in identifying the types of social proof that have the most significant effect on users, such as expert endorsements or peerreviews.Why it matters for designers: By incorporating positive feedback, such as user testimonials, ratings, or success stories, designers can reassure users and make them feel more confident in their decisions. This can increase engagement, improve conversion rates, and ultimately drive product adoption.Canva features testimonials on their home and pricing page, featuring quotes from business leaders highlighting how Canva has helped their business needs. They also feature well-known companies that use the tool, fostering credibility and reliability.Canva displays user testimonials on their home and pricing page, featuring quotes from business leaders explaining how Canva has simplified their design work and saved time. They also have a banner of well-known companies that use Canva, or actuallytrust themcreating a sense of credibility and authority. This combination of individual success stories and brand endorsements reinforces Canvas reliability, encouraging new users to sign up and experience similar benefits.The psychology of feedback: reinforce actionsFeedback loops are critical for user engagement. Whether its a subtle animation or a clear success message, providing immediate feedback helps users understand the outcomes of their actions and reinforces the behaviour, motivating users to stick with your product.Why it matters for researchers: Gaps in feedback mechanisms can lead to uncertainty, where users might not understand whether their actions have been successful or might hesitate to proceed with their tasks. Identifying gaps in feedback mechanisms can improve task success rates in usability testing.Why it matters for designers: Providing timely and meaningful feedback is crucial to reducing uncertainty and maintaining user engagement. Whether users are completing a form, interacting with an app, or making a purchase, feedback reassures them that their actions have been registered and that theyre on the right track. Well-designed feedback reinforces positive behaviour, keeps users motivated, and helps them feel more in control of their experience.LinkedIns profile completion progress bar gives active feedback and uses visual cues to motivate users to take furtheraction.LinkedIns profile completion tracker leverages the psychology of feedbackand gamificationby providing immediate and continuous visual cues to show users their progress. This positive reinforcement motivates users to take further action, as they can see the tangible results of their efforts in real-time. By rewarding each step with incremental progress toward 100%, the tracker taps into users intrinsic desire for completion and achievement, encouraging them to fully engage with the platform.Confirmation bias: stayneutralConfirmation bias is the tendency to favour information that aligns with our existing beliefs and undervalue information that contradicts them. In UX, understanding this can help in designing interfaces that reinforce users trust and expectations, rather than focusing on our own beliefs about thedesign.Why it matters for researchers: Confirmation bias can skew the results of user research, leading to incomplete or biased insights. For example, if a UX researcher has a hypothesis about a design flaw, they might unconsciously look for evidence to confirm it while ignoring contradictory data. This can lead to recommendations based on assumptions rather than actual user behaviour.Make sureyou:Use a diverse range of methods: Triangulate your data by using both qualitative and quantitative methods. This reduces the chance of relying solely on anecdotal evidence or personal interpretation.Ask open-ended questions: Avoid leading questions that may inadvertently confirm your biases. For example, instead of asking Did you find the checkout button hard to find?, ask How was your experience navigating the checkout process? This allows users to express their opinions without being guided by your assumptions.Consider contradictory data: Actively seek out data that contradicts your initial hypothesis. If users behaviour doesnt align with your expectations, investigate why. This process of challenging your own assumptions can lead to more accurate insights and innovative solutions.Collaborate and discuss: Work with colleagues or stakeholders to review research findings. A fresh set of eyes may point out biases youve overlooked, ensuring that your conclusions are objective.Why it matters for designers: Confirmation bias can affect the design process, especially when they are attached to a specific idea or design solution. If a designer has a favourite concept, they might unintentionally make design decisions that align with their personal preferences, rather than what the user truly needs. By aligning designs with users mental models, designers can reduce friction, improve usability, and build trust in theproduct.Some strategies to reduce confirmation bias in design areto:Embrace user feedback: The users voice should always take precedence over personal assumptions. Designers should test ideas with real users and observe their behaviour, not just rely on internal feedback or gut feelings. Conducting usability tests early and often will help identify issues that you may havemissed.Test multiple solutions: Instead of getting attached to one design solution, test multiple variations through A/Btesting.Use data-driven design: Base design decisions on data rather than subjective opinions.Incorporate diverse perspectives: Engage stakeholders from different backgrounds and disciplines, to ensure that the design reflects a variety of viewpoints. This helps prevent the design from being influenced by a single perspective orbias.Reflect on personal biases: Be mindful of personal preferences that may influence your design decisions. For example, if youre designing an app for a particular age group but have a strong affinity for minimalistic design, ensure youre not over-prioritising aesthetics over usability for your target audience.The takeawaysPsychology is at the heart of designing intuitive and impactful user experiences. By understanding how users think, feel, and behave, UX researchers and designers can create solutions that resonate deeply. Together, these principles offer a blueprint for creating experiences that are both meaningful and effective. Incorporating these psychological insights into your work will elevate your designs and research, ensuring they are not only user-friendly but also truly impactful.Sources: The Gestalt Principles Cognitive LoadTheory HicksLaw Fittss Law and Its Applications inUX How do our memories differ from our experiences? The peak-end rule, explained Confirmation Bias inUX What is SocialProof? A quick guide to the psychology of feedback. Why feedback is crucial in promoting behaviour changePsychology principles every UX researcher and designer should know was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

On Saturday night, TikTok went dark, and pulled its products from app stores in the United States. The following day, citing assurances from incoming-President Trump, TikTok returned service to American users, but its apps are still missing from App Storeseven after Trump signed an executive order delaying enforcing the law that bans TikTok.As we got closer to the ban, I advised our Android readers of a way to download TikTok post-ban: sideloading. While you need to be careful doing it, sideloading lets you install apps that aren't present on official app stores, like Google's Play Store, meaning if you missed your window to download TikTok before last Saturday night, it was still available through other online sources. Again, sideloading apps can be risky. Google might not catch every bad app, but they do have stringent filters that protect users from many malicious programs. Depending on where you're downloading your apps from, you may be far less protected while sideloading, and putting yourself at greater risk of encountering malware. There are reliable sideloading platforms out there, however. One of them is APKMirror, which verifies the identity of all developers whose apps are hosted on the site. As such, I recommended APKMirror for any Android users looking to sideload TikTok following the ban.As it happens, that's no longer possible. If you try to search for TikTok on APKMirror right now, you'll immediately be blocked, and see the following message: Credit: Jake Peterson It's clear this isn't a glitch, nor is it a subtle block. APKMirror specifically says TikTok downloads are blocked because of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Actthe law that bans TikTok in the U.S. It's a similar situation for Lemon8, a popular lifestyle app from TikTok. While you can current search for Lemon8, clicking on any of the apps in the results delivers the same message as above.Interestingly, APKMirror hasn't blocked downloads of other popular TikTok apps, like CapCut or Marvel Snap. Those apps are also barred from official app stores while the law is in effect, but APKMirror still allows you to search for and download them. As of this writing, you can download a version of CapCut last updated Jan. 22, and a version of Marvel Snap last updated Jan. 14. The law isn't being enforced, but is that legal?The block speaks to the precarious nature of the TikTok ban. As written, the law has been in effect since Sunday, Jan. 19. The law was passed by Congress, signed by President Biden, and even affirmed by the Supreme Court as constitutional. It gives the president the power to delay the ban by 90 days if it appears that ByteDance is actively working to sell the app, but the law's deadline has already come and passed. It's not clear what power Trump really has to delay enforcing the law in this case. Some entities, like TikTok and the companies that host its traffic (including Oracle), clearly think Trump has the authority to delay this enforcement, and are continuing operations in the U.S. while the law is in effect. Others, like APKMirror, appear to be taking a more cautious approachallowing downloads for certain TikTok apps, but not TikTok itself. Whatever the case, at the moment, there appear to be few safe ways to download TikTok onto your smartphone if you didn't grab it before the ban. My advice, if you want to use the service, is to simply use the web app. It's far from ideal, especially on mobile, but it's far better than downloading a virus-riddled "TikTok" from a shady source online.

X (formerly known as Twitter) has been through it over the last few years: Elon Musk took over, fired a ton of people, destroyed the validity and integrity of profile verification, considered selling your location data and phone number, publicized everyones private Circles, allowed hate speech and misinformation to grow and fester, and got so political that he got an appointment to lead a federal department under President Donald Trump's second term. If all these changes have put you through it or you're simply looking to lessen your time on social media, you can deactivate or delete your account. First, download your tweets before you do anything.Unlike other social media sites, deleting your X account is relatively straightforward. However, there is one caveat to deleting it once and for all.Consider not fully deleting your accountFirst, this is important: It might be better not to delete your account. If you fully nuke the account, someone else can snatch up your username, which is concerning for anyone with a public persona and a username that has been tied to them for years. If your account has been linked to your work or name in any way, the safer option is to pay a few dollars to a deleter service like the appropriately named Tweet Deleter or Delete Tweet to get rid of all your posts and likes, then privatize all your settings. This way, you maintain ownership of the account that is tied to you, but there's nothing on it. Sure, it's possible no bad actor will steal your username and post a bunch of inappropriate stuff, but if you're even a little worried about that, don't delete. Still, if you insist, here's how.Download your X dataWhether you dislike X because of Musk or because of all the time it sucked out of your life over the years, you have to admit those years were kind of fun. You probably got some bangers off, did numbers a few times, or shared work or ideas that were meaningful to you. Before getting rid of your account, be sure to download your data, which will produce a .zip file of not only your posts, but your likes, DMs, and more. Log in on a browser and press "More" on the sidebar, then "Setting and Privacy." You'll be prompted to enter your password, then see a list of further options and at the top will be "Your Account." Clicking that, you'll find "Download an Archive of your Data." After clicking it, you'll get an in-app notification letting you know the file is ready for download. Be advised it can take up to 24 hours, so don't delete or deactivate anything until it's done. Credit: Lindsey Ellefson/X How X treats "deactivation"X doesnt let you delete your account outright. Rather than risk users throwing their whole profiles away when they finally snap, the site wants to employ a cool-down period through account deactivation. When you choose to deactivate your account, it will feel like the account is gone for good, since your name, username, and profile wont be accessible on X. However, the account still exists, and you can retrieve it if you want to reverse course.Keep in mind that isnt the case forever. X will erase your account 30 days after you hit the Deactivate button. Dont treat this option like youre putting your account on the back burner: While its nice X doesnt delete your profile immediately, 30 days will come and go fast, and there will be no way to go back after that month is up.How to deactivate your X account on desktop and mobileTo deactivate X in a web browser, do what you did to get the archive: Click More in the left-side menu, then choose Settings and privacy. To start on iOS or Android, tap your profile icon and tap Settings and privacy. On all platforms, choose Account or Your account, then scroll all the way down and choose Deactivate your account. Here, X gives you the full breakdown I already covered, including alternative routes to take rather than deactivation, like changing your @username. Credit: Lindsey Ellefson/X Unlike some other platforms, the process here is the same on the mobile app. You just start by tapping your profile picture in the top left of your screen, then going through the same series from Settings and Privacy > Your Account > Deactivate. Entering your password after hitting the button will make it permanent (for 30 days, anyway, and then eventually forever).Keep in mind that search engines may still store some of your X data and posts, even after the deletion, and your archive request needs to be carried out before you deactivate, even though the company's systems will retain data after you get rid of the account.

Threads is adding a new feature that lets users get a little more creative in remixing posts from other people. The app now has a markup tool that allows users to scribble on top of posts they want to reshare, Adam Mosseri shared in a post.Markup abilities appear in the menu for quoting and reposting. But instead of simply quoting a post, it launches an editing tool where you can add highlights, arrows or doodles on top of a screenshot of the post. Mosseri said the feature is intended so you can add your creative take on posts, but the tools are fairly limited for now. You can only add yellow highlights or red arrows and doodles, though Mosseri said there would be more to come soon from Meta.A Threads spokesperson confirms that the feature will function similarly to quote posts in that the original user is notified if someone chooses to mark up their post. You can also use the who can reply and quote setting to disable markups on your own posts.The app is also making two other features its already previewed official: post scheduling and analytics. The features will likely be particularly useful for brands, creators and others who manage a professional presence on the site, which has so far lacked many of the more advanced business-focused tools Metas other platforms have. Both could also come in handy should Meta begin to introduce ads to Threads, a move thats reportedly in the works for the beginning of 2025.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/threads-now-lets-you-scribble-on-top-of-other-users-posts-231129612.html?src=rss

If you subscribe to Amazon Prime or Prime Video and are looking to expand your streaming horizons, Amazon has a deal for you. Prime subscribers can get a bundled subscription to the ad-free version of Max and Starz for just $21 per month, $7 off the bundle's normal $28 per month price. Max has a solid back catalog of classic Hollywood films programmed by Turner Classic Movies, original films and TV shows from HBO, and cartoons from Cartoon Network, on top of a chaotic collection of reality TV programming from HGTV, Food Network, and more. If you were thinking of checking out The White Lotus when the show returns in February or the second season of The Last of Us in April, this bundle is a pretty good reason to hop on the Max bandwagon. Starz has a less must-see original programming when compared to Max or Prime Video outside of the ever-popular Outlander but it's a great streaming service if you're looking to watch movies that recently left theaters. You're able to get this bundle deal even if you don't currently have a Prime subscription. You can sign-up for a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime to enjoy the bundle at $21 per month, and just add on an extra $15 a month once your trial is up. Prime Video itself has an interesting library worth combing through, too. Including a recent adaptation of Fallout if shows based on video games are what floats your boat. Because this deal is through Prime Video, you'll have to access Max and Starz as Prime Video Channels rather than through their individual streaming apps, but it's a small annoyance for an otherwise solid deal. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/amazon-prime-members-can-get-ad-free-max-and-starz-for-21-per-month-223245603.html?src=rss

Looking for Quordle clues? We can help. Plus get the answers to Quordle today and past solutions.

Looking for NYT Strands answers and hints? Here's all you need to know to solve today's game, including the spangram.

Ivanka Trump posted on social media site X on Thursday that a meme coin with her name on it is not real.

Two security researchers discovered a security vulnerability in Subarus Starlink-connected vehicles last year that gave them unrestricted targeted access to all vehicles and customer accounts across the U.S., Canada, and Japan, according to a Wired report.The researchers, Sam Curry and Shubham Shah, alerted the Japanese automaker to the flaws in November and they were quickly fixed. Subaru told Wired that after being notified by independent security researchers, [Subaru] discovered a vulnerability in its Starlink service that could potentially allow a third party to access Starlink accounts. The vulnerability was immediately closed and no customer information was ever accessed without authorization.The researchers said that a hacker who only knew the car owners last name and ZIP code, email address, phone number, or license plate could remotely start, stop, lock, unlock, and retrieve the current vehicle, retrieve any vehicles complete location history from the past year, and find personally identifiable information of any customer.Curry and Shah said that similar web-based flaws have been found in several other carmakers, including Kia, Honda, and Toyota. While Curry and Shah acknowledged the security fixes, they warned that simply patching security updates after issues were found isnt enough to remedy the more pervasive issue of privacy in the automotive industry. And even if those vulnerabilities are all remedied, employees still have access to location data.You can retrieve at least a years worth of location history for the car, where its pinged precisely, sometimes multiple times a day, Curry told Wired. Whether somebodys cheating on their wife or getting an abortion or part of some political group, there are a million scenarios where you could weaponize this against someone.

Instagram Reels has added a new feature that shows you a feed of videos that your friends have liked. The bad news: It works both ways, meaning your friends can now see every video youve liked.We want Instagram to not only be a place where you consume entertaining content, but one where you connect over that content with friends, Instagrams head, Adam Mosseri, wrote in his announcement of the feature. Okay, so now I will never like any reel ever again, wrote one user in the comments below. At this point Im thinking they want people to stop using the app? wrote another.Now, at the top right of a Reel youll notice your friends profile photos with small hearts in the corner. If you tap on that, youll be taken to the With Friends tab. Here, you can see a feed of videos your friends have liked, complete with their profile pictures and a heart icon overlaid in the bottom-right corner of each video. This new feature also includes a message box, making it easy to send a direct message to the friend who liked the Reel. Ultimately, Instagram is streamlining something many users were already doing, DMing Reels to friends.If youre worried about your friends seeing all your liked Reels, however, youre not alone. Anyone remember Instagrams old Following tab, scrapped in 2019? If you want to find out which Reels youve been inadvertently sharing with your friends, go to your profile and click the menu icon in the top right. Select Your Activity, then select Likes. This will show all the posts and Reels youve double-tappednow for all your mutuals to see.Instagrams newest feature has been brought in with the aim to keep users on the app longer by encouraging more engagement. The platform has also recently replaced its classic square grids with rectangles (did anyone say TikTok?), released a new video-editing tool called Edits (TikToks CapCut, anyone?), and extended the maximum length of Reels to three minutes (um . . . again, like TikTok?). Want to take a stab as to Instagrams current business strategy?