Good design and bad design: examples from my daily life
Design from an individual standpoint.
Before we get into the good and bad, let us define Design.
Design is the process of making things look and function better. Let us say you want to build a treehouse. Before you begin, you consider how it should look, how big it should be, where the windows and doors should be placed, and how to make it safe and enjoyable. That’s designing! It is about planning and making something useful, whether it is a treehouse, a toy, or even a drawing. Design enhances the beauty, usefulness, and enjoyment of things!
Now let’s dive into what is good design and what is bad design from an UX perspective.
What exactly is good design?
A well-designed product improves the utility of a product that is intended for everyday use. It must meet certain criteria, including both functional and emotional aspects. A good design prioritizes the product's functionality and appeal while removing any elements that may reduce its effectiveness. A good user experience design prioritizes usability, clarity, efficiency, consistency, accessibility, engagement, user-centeredness, problem-solving, and continuous improvement. It seeks to create digital and physical experiences that are not only functional but also user-friendly, enjoyable, and aligned with the goals and expectations of the users.
Here are some examples of good design that I have encountered in my daily life or surroundings. I have chosen both physical and digital products.
- Computer Mouse
Computer mice are important input devices that allow users to interact with software applications, navigate graphical interfaces, select and manipulate objects, and perform a variety of tasks on a computer.
This is the exact mouse I use in my daily life, and what I love about this product is how the mouse’s casing is ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in the user’s hand. It may come in various shapes and sizes to accommodate different hand sizes and preferences.
2. Macbook Air Laptop
This is the laptop I use every day for work, and the first thing I notice about it is how light it is. Second, as shown in the image, there is very little cut-out space beneath the trackpad. That area is used to raise the screen. Isn't it fascinating how the company considered the user's problem with lifting the screen? That is what I mean by a well-designed product.
3. Apple Mobile Charger 20W
You had to have forgotten about the charger, didn't you? Well, this is also a very good product. With its minimalist design, there is a small concave space carved for grip, as seen in the image above. It is also compatible with various Apple products, like iPods and iPads. The charger is plug-and-play, meaning users simply plug it into a power source (such as an electrical outlet or a USB port on a computer) and connect the Lightning cable to their Apple device. There is no need for complicated setup procedures or configurations. You may be wondering why I am explaining all of this because it was not the case when the first smartphone was introduced, and chargers were not detachable and had no grips, with tons of design flaws.
4. Airbnb Website
With its simple search and booking interface, Airbnb's website provides an excellent user experience. It offers clear, visually appealing listings, simple filters, and an easy-to-use booking process. The site also provides personalized recommendations based on the user's preferences, making it an outstanding example of user-centered design.
5. Spotify Music Streaming App
Spotify I use this app to listen to music, and the onboarding process was simple, allowing users to easily establish an account or connect with existing credentials. It offers numerous features, such as playlist personalisation, offline listening, social sharing, cross-platform compatibility, and so on. These features work together to provide Spotify customers with a dynamic and personalised music streaming experience, whether they use the free or premium version of the app.
Apart from this, what problem does this solve? One of the most fundamental issues that Spotify addresses is the issue of space limits. Physical music collections required a lot of room, and as your music library increased, so did the demand for more storage. Spotify solves this problem by providing users with access to a huge library of songs, albums, and playlists, all accessible with the tap of a finger or a voice command. Get rid of your crowded shelves and dirty CD cases!
What exactly is bad design?
A bad design is one that is difficult to understand, distracting, difficult to use, and short-lived. As I began to view the items around me from a design standpoint, I understood that it is simple to distinguish between excellent and terrible designs.
Here are some examples of good design that I have encountered in my daily life or surroundings. I have chosen both physical and digital products.
- My Torch
I use a torch with a lot of design flaws, such as having two light buttons, one of which is a bit difficult to use and the other is just a push and hold button (means light flashes until you press and hold the switch if left light is turned off). It also wobbles inside if shaken slightly, which sometimes turns off the torch.
2. IRCTC App
The IRCTC app is primarily used to book train tickets, yet it provides the poorest user experience. It features a confusing and crowded user interface. The app’s design has uneven between sections and screens. Users had to travel through multiple layouts and interfaces at times, creating a disconnected experience.
3. USB
I don’t know about you, but I never get a micro USB cable to connect to my laptop on the first try. Usually, I have to turn that thing three times before it will go in.
4. Water Taps
Tap with a circular knob (or symmetrical knob) is an example of poor UX since it looks the same whether it is turned on or off. When there is no water in the taps, I frequently become confused about whether the tap is turned off or not.
5. The Dynamic Island of Iphone
Apple released the iPhone 14 last year, and with it, dynamic island, a bad example of ux because many people prefer to use their smartphones with one hand, making it difficult to go to the top of the screen to click, pause, or tap on dynamic island because it is located in a difficult-to-reach area of the device. Compared to the Notch, the dynamic island doesn’t look quite well in full-screen video mode. Our brain will constantly notice the hole on the side of the screen.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, good user experience design prioritises usability, clarity, efficiency, consistency, accessibility, engagement, user-centeredness, problem-solving, and ongoing development. In contrast, bad UX design results in a terrible user experience marked by annoyance, confusion, inefficiency, and a disregard for user needs.
