Julie Grundy – The UX of Form Design: Designing an Effective Form @ UX New Zealand 2017

Summary

This video focuses on best practices for designing user-friendly forms that prioritize accessibility and clarity. Key points include the importance of clear call-to-actions, like using specific labels rather than vague terms, and the need for contextual and engaging forms regardless of length. The speaker also discusses the balance between required and optional fields, emphasizing a friendly approach to design. Common form design issues are highlighted, with solutions provided for making forms more intuitive. Lastly, the speaker explores future trends, including voice and conversational user interfaces, while reinforcing the need for continuous user testing to ensure optimal form design.

Takeaways

• 😀 Clear and purposeful call-to-action buttons are key to improving form clarity. Use labels like 'Find Flights' instead of vague terms like 'Submit' or 'Go'.
• 😀 Form length should not be a strict rule. Studies show that longer forms can be effective if questions are relevant and engaging.
• 😀 Required fields should be marked as 'optional' with parentheses to reduce confusion, as not all users recognize the asterisk for required fields.
• 😀 Avoid common form mistakes like unordered buttons, unhelpful error messages, and trapping users in the form without an exit option.
• 😀 The future of form design includes trends like material design, which shifts labels above fields but should be tested for accessibility, especially contrast ratios.
• 😀 Conversational user interfaces, such as chatbots, are a growing trend in form design, offering a more interactive and user-friendly way to collect data.
• 😀 Voice interfaces are emerging as a new way for users to engage with websites and apps, marking a shift toward more conversational forms.
• 😀 Reducing cognitive load and preventing errors should always be the primary goal in form design to create a more user-friendly experience.
• 😀 Inline error messages should appear only after a user has interacted with the field, not before, to avoid confusion.
• 😀 Always conduct user testing to ensure your form design works effectively for your specific audience and their needs.
• 😀 Core principles for good form design include clarity, ease of use, accessibility, and a human-centric approach to prevent frustration and enhance user satisfaction.

Q & A

Why is it important to have a clear call to action in form design?

Clear call-to-action buttons, like 'Find Flights' instead of just 'Submit,' provide users with specific direction and reduce ambiguity. They remind users of the purpose of the form, improving usability and guiding them through the process more intuitively.

How does form length impact user experience, and what is the best approach to determining it?

Form length doesn’t necessarily need to be short to be effective. Research shows that long forms can work well if the questions are engaging and contextually relevant. The key is to assess the context and the user’s needs to determine whether a shorter or longer form is appropriate.

What is the suggested way to handle optional fields in a form?

Instead of marking fields as required with an asterisk, it’s better to explicitly label optional fields with the word 'optional' in parentheses. This approach is friendlier and more understandable, as not all users are familiar with asterisks, and it places less emphasis on mandatory fields.

Why are inline labels considered a design issue in some cases?

Inline labels can disappear once the user starts typing, which may leave them unsure about what to enter. If the label is not visible when filling out the form, users may become confused or make mistakes. It's better to keep labels visible, either at the top or above the field, for clarity.

What are common form design mistakes to avoid?

Some common mistakes include misaligned buttons, out-of-order form fields, displaying error messages prematurely, and overusing select lists without helpful default text like 'Please select.' These can lead to frustration and confusion, making the form more difficult to use.

How should error messages be handled in form design?

Error messages should be displayed only after the user has interacted with the form, not before. Premature error messages, especially in fields that haven't been filled out yet, can create confusion and lead to a negative user experience. The messages should be clear, contextually relevant, and presented in a helpful way.

What is material design, and how does it impact form layout?

Material design is a style guide from Google that often uses inline labels that shift above the field when focused. This design choice breaks the top-align rule but can be effective if implemented well. It's important to test this with users and consider accessibility, especially with contrast ratios in the text.

What role do conversational user interfaces (CUIs) play in form design?

Conversational user interfaces, such as chatbots, are an alternative to traditional forms. They provide an interactive and dynamic way for users to input information, mimicking a natural conversation. CUIs are seen as a 'cousin' of form design, collecting data in a less structured but effective way.

How can voice interfaces affect the future of form design?

Voice interfaces are poised to play a significant role in the future of form design. They offer users a hands-free way to fill out forms or interact with websites, apps, or brands. Voice interactions are expected to follow usability heuristics similar to those used in form design, but they offer a new dimension of accessibility and convenience.

What are the guiding principles to remember when designing forms?

The key guiding principles for form design are to reduce cognitive load, help prevent errors, and ensure the form feels human and approachable. Testing with real users is crucial to ensure the form meets these principles and provides a seamless user experience.