Good vs Bad UX Design - A Comprehensive Teardown!

Summary

This video explores the distinction between good and bad UX design through both digital and physical examples. It highlights how clear information architecture, transparency, and user-friendly navigation make for good UX, as seen in the UK government website and SkyScanner. In contrast, overwhelming navigation and dark UX patterns like those used by Booking.com represent bad UX. The video also introduces the Cod neck bottle as a surprising example of good UX and explains the confusing Norman door, showing how poor design leads to user frustration.

Takeaways

• 😀 Good UX design is about clear, efficient navigation and easy access to information.
• 😀 Bad UX design often stems from poor information architecture, making it difficult for users to find what they're looking for quickly.
• 😀 An example of good UX is the UK government's website, which is clean, well-organized, and easy to navigate.
• 😀 An example of bad UX is the German government's website, which is cluttered and confusing with multiple navigation bars.
• 😀 Good information architecture helps users scan and locate information efficiently, while bad architecture hampers the user's experience.
• 😀 Dark UX patterns, like pressure tactics used by booking websites, are designed to manipulate users into making decisions that may not be in their best interest.
• 😀 Booking.com uses dark UX tactics, such as urgency-inducing labels like 'only two left at this price', to pressure users into making quick decisions.
• 😀 Skyscanner is an example of good UX in the travel industry, providing clear, transparent pricing without manipulative tactics.
• 😀 The Cod neck bottle is an example of good UX in product design, using a marble to maintain carbonation, which initially appears to be a poor design.
• 😀 The 'Norman door' is a classic bad UX example, where doors with handles give users the wrong impression of whether to push or pull, creating confusion.

Q & A

What is good UX design, and how is it different from bad UX design?

Good UX design ensures that users can easily navigate and find the information they need, often through clear structure and organization. Bad UX design, on the other hand, makes it difficult for users to locate or access what they need due to poor layout, confusing navigation, or excessive clutter.

Why is the UK government website an example of good UX design?

The UK government website is an example of good UX design because it is clean, clear, and well-structured. It has a prominent search bar that helps users find information quickly, and the pages are easy to scan and navigate.

What makes the German government website a bad UX example?

The German government website is an example of bad UX because it has a cluttered navigation system with two separate bars (top and left). Users may find it difficult to quickly locate the information they're looking for due to poor information architecture and overwhelming content.

How does information architecture impact UX design?

Information architecture is crucial in UX design as it determines how information is structured and organized on a website. Well-organized information allows users to easily find what they need, while poor information architecture leads to frustration and inefficiency.

What is a 'dark UX pattern,' and how is it used?

A dark UX pattern refers to manipulative design tactics that pressure users into actions that benefit the company rather than the user. For example, booking.com uses a tactic where it shows a label saying 'only two left at this price,' creating urgency and encouraging impulse decisions.

How does Skyscanner provide a better user experience than booking.com?

Skyscanner provides a better UX by being transparent with its pricing. It clearly shows the total price for a flight before booking and offers different portals for booking, allowing users to make informed decisions without being pressured.

What is the 'Cod neck bottle,' and why is it a good example of UX design?

The Cod neck bottle is a soda bottle with a unique design that includes a glass marble to keep carbonation inside. Despite looking unusual, it is a good UX example because the design helps maintain the soda’s fizz, providing a better user experience for consuming carbonated drinks.

Why might the Cod neck bottle initially seem like a bad UX design?

At first glance, the Cod neck bottle might seem like a bad UX design because the method of opening it involves pushing a marble into the bottle, which feels unconventional. However, it’s actually a good UX design that keeps carbonation intact, offering a better drinking experience.

What is a 'Norman door,' and how does it relate to UX design?

A 'Norman door' is a door that has a handle but is meant to be pushed rather than pulled. It represents a bad UX design because the user can’t intuitively tell whether to push or pull, leading to confusion and frustration.

How can UX designers avoid creating Norman doors in their designs?

UX designers can avoid creating Norman doors by ensuring that the functionality of doors or interfaces is clear and intuitive. This can be done by using proper visual cues, labels, and affordances that guide the user toward the correct action.