You know this is a controversial book when its author, Golden Krishna, envisions a screenless world, much like how our world is increasingly paperless. I mean, hello, a UX designer practically makes a living designing screens! But as he unpacks his arguments for #NoUI, it is persuasive and compelling and makes you think that there must be a better way.
If you start thinking about it, when did we start becoming so addicted to screens? The Apple App Store was a recent phenomenon, having only been launched on July 10, 2008. But through the course of these 7.5 years, there is now a app for everything under the sun ☀️. And we apparently check our phones over 150 times a day!
And as UX designers, we distinctly think of screens as THE solution to user problems. For every user pain point out there, we do not think deeper or broader, but merely look at brainstorming features or interactions that we can incorporate to our app.
Take for example the NLB app. The latest iteration allows you to scan the barcode and borrow the book instantly. Right… but contrast it with its RFID-enabled self checkout terminals. You place all the books you want to borrow directly on it, the terminal detects all of them at one time and borrows them for you instantly. 💪🏻
I remember the first time I used it, I was totally delighted! 😁 Granted it still requires a screen but imagine NLB removing all its terminals and expecting users to download the app to borrow books! I will be the first to protest!
Golden then sets forth 3 principles which are great guidelines for any designers to think of alternative solutions to their users’ pain points than the tried and tested routes of screens or apps.
- Embrace Typical Processes Instead of Screens
- Leverage Computers Instead of Serving Them
- Adapt to Individuals
The examples and stories in his book were skilfully weaved into each chapter and were a delight to savour. The book itself is an experience in itself!
WOW! Definitely gets you thinking, doesn’t it? If one day, the world truly becomes screenless, what are we UX designers going to bring to the table? Will the profession become obsolete or do we innovate and evolve so as to truly take our users’ needs and issues into consideration?
Two choice quotes below I really love! 👍🏻
“I believe our job as designers is to give you what you need as quickly and as elegantly as we can. Our job as designers is to take you away from technology. Our job as designers is to make you smile. To make a profit by providing you something that enhances your life in the most seamless and wonderful way possible.”
“This is about aiming for the best outcome of NoUI. One that doesn’t distract us or get us addicted, something that embraces the way we live and aims to make it better quietly and elegantly. For technology to become embedded in the fabric of our lives instead of a distraction away from what really matters.”
My Take: READ THIS BOOK! It’s required reading for any UX designer. Period.
Click for my reviews on Mobilized, Hooked and Evil by Design.
