When Uniqueness Kills User Experience

[@cryptoboy1461]

I totally agree! When the vast majority of people browse a website, their primary objective is typically to swiftly locate the information they seek. They don't really care about flashy animations.

[@danil-old-web]

My primary objective is to use Windows and explore the web link by link. Stop using internet for making money!

[@svenvrgoc9528]

yes... i agree... you can still be creative with following the rules.

[@spectralassasin9356]

From a psychological standpoint, one can argue that UX strongly aligns with a concept called "consistency". It suggests that users of a certain product or a service, will be more inclined towards things that they are already familiar with, things that they have done before and will likely be able to do them again without having an issue. Consistency provides a framework for a design to breath in, it is not the design itself. As an example, when designing a logo, it is expected for it to be visible and distinguishable by viewers, this doesn't mean that every logo should look similar or every logo should use the same fonts in their marking, it means that, for the convenience of the user and how we perceive such inputs as humans, it is beneficial to execute these processes with them in mind. You can design whatever you like, however you like. This is not to say that doing something that is unexpected for a user or a customer is a bad thing at all times, sometimes breaking the expectations can create a sense of contrasts. But such contrast shouldn't mean that the user needs to take an extra step in. Doing something different is not about seeing something that no one has ever seen; it is about thinking of something in a different way, which everybody can see. This applies to game development, graphic design sub-fields, audio engineering, branding, marketing, business model and similar. It is not about reinventing the basics of something to standout, it is about forming an experience over the framework. UI design in its essence is not about innovation, the way the content is delivered to user doesn't shift in a massive way to be in that category. UI is at its best a form of novelty. Give them a different accent for their wheel, not a wheel in the shape of a square. Variation is not a bad thing, but put too much of it, and your design will become alienated. Straying completely away from it, on the other hand, can make your design feel dull. The key difference is that while a dull design gets the job done, something unfamiliar will cost you conversions. Think of the UI as the exterior and the interior design of a building, and the UX as the load bearing structure. Don't remove a colon just to make one of your rooms more appealing, instead work around such limitations (if any that is). Most people browsing through content over the internet are not there to sit through some visual spectacle, they are there to get something done, to reach somewhere. So don't go out shoving content into people's face. Give them a choice if they want to see it. Additionally, shoving content to your viewers is a form of manipulative marketing, and as you can probably guess, it is not a beneficial practice for your content. If you want people to stay on your "User Flow" (which is the journey the visitors will take in your website), then make it convenient for them. Don't add a basement to the second floor, add a second floor to your basement (see what i did there).

[@JayantBB78]

You have no idea how useful information and in proper word you have mentioned here. Wow. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 You put whole new strory in each paragraph. I wish Microsoft would have counlted you before making Windows 8. 😅 Thanks a lot. Love and Respect from INDIA.

[@posguy13]

I will take a “dull design” that “gets the job done” over a visual spectacle. Every. Single. Time!

[@RacetasClub]

The 'wheel' analogy is incredible. You totally nailed it

[@vencler]

I completely agree. Whenever I land upon such a site, more often than not I leave it behind. It either takes too much time to get to the point, I have to retrace my steps to repeat important actions/see informational section snippet. OR it gets laggy for no other reason than because it is an unoptimised 3d mess. I value simplicity and I even more value when the site/business respects my time and gets to the point.

[@keimaye]

Something that's missing from a lot of these heavily animated websites - accessibility. There's little to no consideration for those who need to use screen readers or assisted tech to navigate websites. It's a shame that so many treat accessibility as an afterthought (if a thought at all) instead of embedding it in the design process.

[@digwillhachi]

this is so important. Most people who use your site are not designers, they could be middle aged or older people who are just looking for information. UX is the most important part of design.

[@brianm3160]

This js why one should research on audience and competitors

[@saifadnan864]

Designing Websites Should Be 90 % Functional (for best User Experience ) because it's not a gallery or show it's place for consuming information regarding various businesses and other 10 % should be Aesthetic and that's 10% should pull the magic of keeping users on website as long as it can . So 10 % is really crucial as much as that 90 % of functionality . Most of the Timeless Designs are always like this .

[@therealmr312]

Great video, great message. Your videos have help our team "reel it in" a bit and in a lot of ways to be more creative in the constraints. Thanks again. Don't stop making video about down to earth website construction. Thanks Website Architect!

[@gordonwmiller2953]

Love these! Refreshing narration too! Love the reality of your site. I lol when you swear about stupid things you see!

[@victoriamathews812]

You offer a different perspective that is refreshing. Thank you. And yes get a new toaster if you need it.

[@bijeshamatya9379]

As a independent website designer working for clients across the globe this video is very insightful as it shows is what to avoide and what not to avoide, i wounder if the content provided with your channel would be available as a downloaded pdf or a book so that we can have a reference.

[@KaYungCalebLai]

The left example doesn't need a designer, you can use AI to spit that out in 2 seconds. Uniqueness AND good UX are what keep designers in the job market in this world of AI.

[@catrionacarruthers5704]

Thanks Website Architect, I think if you could use an analogy with book design, (I'm not 100% sure you can), it seems clear that it is also constrained by standards, what users expect and the knowledge they come to the object with. If you were to design a book in a very different way, with covers, titles, pages and sections not where the user expects them to be, or using non-contrasting text, for example, the result would be a less than optimal user experience, many would not bother to read.

[@dotpenji]

Your video provides valuable clarity on the relationship between design creativity and user experience! Could you share an example of a website that you believe strikes the perfect balance between pushing design boundaries and maintaining excellent user experience?

[@simonnilsson1572]

Did you get a new toaster yet? Also, I have come to see these issues as a tug of war between stakeholders. We have the designer trying to build a 'pretty website', the user trying to actually use the thing and the company/owner trying to gain something from users being there. If one of those three is ignored, things will go wrong. If all three have their needs met we will have a beautiful website that is usable and brings business value. Love the case studies and examples by the way. Thanks.

[@gregjerry4110]

This reminds me of the Facebook vs Myspace fight. Myspace was initially loved because people could customize there profile's HTML, but this soon became annoying as there was no consistency in the user experience. Facebook initially seen as boring grew in popularity because people found comfort in the consistent UX. People love predictable outcomes

[@wjckc79]

From top navigation to the bottom of the footer, website\page design is standardized. If you can't make a unique and engaging site within that framework, you should not be designing websites.

[@perfectkanpeki]

If the current toaster works, toasts your bread evenly and accomodates enough slices so that you don't have to spend a lot of time toasting your bread then no, don't get a new toaster, but if it doesn't satisfy those conditions then definitely get a new toaster.

[@Yehor-v7y]

Ok thanks, I'll get a new toaster

[@roid1510]

creativity is being able to make and innovate while following rules and workin with limitations

[@itsrickyschannel.]

There is a subtle irony to people complaining about you being "restrictive" with the mistakes video. Now I disagreed with some of your points, such as sign-up fields one - I think a website should arange them in a specific way and only use what is required - but some I agreed with. You can still be fun and quirky as a website designer while sticking to rules. It applies anywhere where art is involved. Think of less of a hurdle and more of an interesting challenge to overcome. The KISS principle - Keep It Simple, Silly. Use common website design principles in order to keep your website idiot-proof and to not waste a persons time when getting to know your organisation. The main principle of a website should always be: Content Is King. How you allow a user to navigate that content is up to you, but it must be friendly and accessible for most of the people interested in your business.

[@nice937]

In most cases I agree with you. The one thing to consider is Aesthetic-Usability effect which states that more atractive-looking website is perceived as a more usability friendly for the user. This psychological phenomen has to be considered. So website HAS to be pretty and user friendly.

[@Bread-vk8fl]

I agree 100%, maybe these beautiful website are nice in the first visit, but a second, third time will be boring and doesn’t feel like access it anymore

[@mikeeomega]

I saw an indie hacker releasing a SaaS with a very creative marketing website, and it performed horribly... after three months he changed it for a more conventional and "boring" website that performed better... not just in terms of marketing (he was running ads) but the people start to understand what his product was all about

[@rstkDev]

7:11 realizing there is no "x", but a freaking "close" somewhere out there.

[@i.am.rossalex]

In your examples with good UX, there are no animations. So we can just some animations to make it less static. It will be better! I believe, good ux is when you do not push your visitors to wait. Less time to wait, less clicks to our CTA. People visit business websites only if they have a pain or passion. So as a designer, I shouldn’t force them to wait longer than they want to be on a website.

[@omranalkhleefalhamad6756]

Hello thanks for the info I'm really getting benefits from your content. Can I ask from where you get your examples of the websites you showed ? I'm looking for a good place to get inspiration from before designing a website for my clients.

[@17thMidnight]

When I am searching for some kind of service, like you have plumbing example, the only thing that I am looking for are answers to potential questions, and its all within first 5-6 seconds with few scrolls.

[@wchorski]

As a designer, we are so used to seeing new designs that we forget that a lot of other users spend 1/10th the time online critiquing a menu bar. So to them, a wildly different UI will be so foreign. Another note, learning a cool new design trick can really help the website stand out, but don't feel like you have to put it on every link, button, and border of your website.

[@rickblackdog]

100% you should get a new toaster - I saw this great one which you could turn on the side and use as a grill, very cool

[@wilcox-outdoors]

you can instantly tell when a designer is showing off. and it never helps ux

[@willamette.willows]

I am building my own website and have been hung up on making it very beautiful and magazine like. I didn't WANT it to look like a website. I am definitely questioning the wisdom of this approach now.

[@henriumc]

I agree with most of what you say. My opinion is that there are definately space for all, even the most over the top designs, however it comes down to using the right approach or tool for the job or purpose of the website. Information is king, when I look for information, or to buy some item or service, and I have to jump through hoops in an over the top design, you already lost my business.

[@ABCD-ez3fo]

Uau, só interesting I was very confused about all the user experience stuff really helped me out, and great voice btw 😅

[@AdnanHaidar01]

UX + CREATIVITY= 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ShawnBeltran]

Definitely get a new toaster; because, you’re going to have more free time on your hands to enjoy a tasty bagel with all the crazy UX decisions you’re not going to make for your clients. 100% agree… keep it simple but stylish and stop making it impossible for people to convert by designing complicated experiences.

[@vadymkot3974]

I firmly believe that there's a significant upside to developing cutting-edge websites for agencies. Their success often hinges on the number of clients they attract, the buzz surrounding them, and the level of awareness in the public eye. The most effective method to achieve this is through word of mouth. People will undoubtedly talk about your agency if you create something truly unconventional, perhaps even something that leaves them outraged but still intrigued.

[@JayantBB78]

This one video and comments on it, is a full UX Design Course. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@arnondeshalit943]

There are rules in the world, especially in the field of art and also the design included in the interior. But after you study the rules and understand them well and why they exist, you can also break them. go against some of them. But it is important to know that if you go against them or against some of the rules, there should be an explanation why and that the viewer or whoever enters the site will understand why they broke the rules. If breaking the rules creates a mess for the viewer, then they didn't break smartly. The idea is to break the rules so that whoever enters the site will understand, even if it is strange to him at first, the meaning of your site and business (the purpose of the site). From what I understand, most people want to enter the site, see that it is what they were looking for, safe and secure, perform the action they wanted, whether it is to buy or order a service or read an article, finish the action successfully without problems and with a good feeling and leave the site. Do all this as quickly and simply as possible.

[@foxtrot1666]

You create great content!!

[@thefreshprince-t4m]

I can see how people are experimenting with 3d and stuff now. Personally, I think we can use this analogy, you have super mario brothers the video game from the late 80's and I grew up with in the 90's before n64 days, but rather than going from super mario brothers to super mario 64, we should also do what the nintendo wii did for the super mario brothers, and that was use that 3d technology for the late 80's super mario brothers. If you can get what I'm saying here. So, 3D is a next-generation CSS potential standard for complimentation.

[@thefreshprince-t4m]

Man, I love this dudes thinking.

[@collinswanyeki]

UX supersedes creative ego all the time

[@tamathacampbell4985]

Totally agree. If a website looks incredible but gives your customer a migraine and/or seizures when attempting to use your e-commerce site (*cough cough round-ish fruit computer company cough cough*), perhaps a little more thought to UX might be good.

[@daydreamer9469]

One could argue that those users suffering from it are not their target customers. That fruit company has their reputation doing the marketing by itself after all.

[@dinnertonight298]

Great message. When you have an online business, or any kind of institution with a website, the order of your priorities should go like so: Building the best product > Building a great user experience > Making a great user interface

[@negrush78]

Totally agree in all!!!!

[@porroapp]

Don't listen to the noobs who know nothing about UI/UX and are on their own creative ego trips. User centered design teaches us to focus on the user needs, and empathise user pain points, not stroke the designer's ego and "creativity".

[@embo_5787]

Get the new toaster!!!

[@Recurring8]

In all the good examples you showed theres paragraphs and paragraphs of text..

[@DeathByDominic]

Why are you comparing a design consultancy site to a plumber though. Of course their sites are going to be totally different, why would they be anything alike in the first place.

[@thewebsitearchitect]

They are both businesses offering services. Which satisfies the point of the video, that /businesses/ should not be using presentational website designs.

[@leonardiux345]

You can’t compare art websites with business websites. Art can be anything, business can’t.

[@thewebsitearchitect]

They are both business websites in the 2 examples I used.

[@four11]

What's even the point of discussing user experience on a website with no interactive functionality? It's a wordpress bro, nobody is going to whine about UX on a business website or whatever. You're there to find products and contacts, not stay on it for 4 and a half hours.

[@JayantBB78]

I am a BIG FAN of YOU. I learned a lot from your video. I am 100% agree with you on everything you have mentioned in your videos. Priramrily about UX. Since decades, I strongly belive that, almost every website visitor is graphically dumb. As a UX designer it our reponsibility to make things easier for them. Now a days most of the people (any website visitors) has TikTok level of span of attention. They don't want to visit any art gallary. They give max 5 to 10 seconds of attention. If web designers waste this time showing visitors grahical design skills, he is giving up on his opportunity to convert website visitor to business lead. Only on one thing I disagree with you. In your 50 mistake video, you have mentioned that, in any form do not make multiple feilds (boxes) for name. Like Title (Mr. Miss. Mrs. etc) as first field First Name in second field, and Last Name in third field. You have asked to make Name as on. field. In last one decade we experienced one issue with that. After receiving details through web forms, we call them back on phone or email. People like to address them as their First Name with title. For example, Mr. John, Miss Roslin, etc. In INDIA (I am not sure about the rest of the world) multible genders has similar name. For example Suhas, can be male or female. My developer has name Kiran. He sometimes receive call like "Can I talk to Miss Kiran?". One of my graphic designer has name Pranjal. His story is similar to Kiran. Another example is Chakrawarti. I used to think that Chakrawarti is last name. But I came across a person with first name Chakrawarti. If we are not sure about how to address potential customer when reaching back to them, it may result in uncomfortable situation when we reach them back for the first time. Thats why we use Title (Mr. Miss. Mrs. etc) FIrst Name and Last name in separate field. I will love to have your opinion on this. Love and respect from INDIA.