Design Concepts and Principles in UX Design

Emphasis

• Definition: Attracts attention, guides user focus.
• Importance: Essential for communicating information effectively.
• Visual Weight: Can be manipulated using size, color, or contrast.
• Example: In mockups, images with heavy visual weight guide attention (e.g., Zest app for spice tracking).
• Strategies:
  • Determine what's important for the user to see or do.
  • Use emphasis to aid user action completion.

Hierarchy

• Definition: Orders elements by importance, guiding user actions.
• Purpose: Helps users prioritize information and actions.
• Techniques: Size and color modifications establish hierarchy.
• Example: Dog walker app uses hierarchy to emphasize booking actions over reviews or additional info.

Scale and Proportion

• Scale: Size relation between elements; larger elements often denote importance.
• Proportion: Balance in element size to maintain visual harmony.
• Application:
  • Consistent scale maintains user understanding of equal importance.
  • Scale changes can emphasize elements (e.g., typography for headings).

Unity and Variety

• Unity: Consistency in design elements makes it easy to understand.
• Variety: Adds interest and breaks monotony through different elements.
• Balance: Essential to maintain user focus without overwhelming them.
• Example: Dog walker app uses unity in color scheme and spacing, variety in emphasizing action buttons.

Gestalt Principles

• Similarity: Elements that look alike are perceived to have the same function.
• Proximity: Close elements are perceived as related.
• Common Region: Elements in the same area are grouped together.
• Application: Use these principles in design to naturally guide user understanding and interaction.

Design Review Checklist

• Detail View: Examine individual elements for consistency.
• Page-Level View: Ensure elements are balanced and unified on each page.
• Function-Level View: Confirm operational aspects and navigation elements.
• App-Level View: Review overall design consistency and function.
• Example: Dog walker app checklist focuses on color consistency, balance, navigation elements, and overall design view.

Conclusion

• Iterative Process: Continuous design improvement through review and adaptation.
• Gestalt and Visual Principles: Essential for creating cohesive and user-friendly designs.

This summary captures the essential design principles and strategies discussed in the lecture, serving as a study guide for understanding how to implement these concepts in UX design.