Seven Lessons Bruce Lee Can Teach Us About UX Design
Bruce Lee, the legendary martial artist and movie star, was more than just a fighter and entertainer. He was also a philosopher who taught valuable life lessons through his martial arts teachings. Also, he was a thought-leader in the world of UX design. No, seriously. Read on.
“Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves.
Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
Bruce Lee’s famous “Be like water, my friend,” quote encapsulates the idea of being flexible, adaptable, and flowing in response to changing circumstances. In the world of user experience (UX) design, this philosophy can be applied in numerous ways to create products that are intuitive, engaging, and enjoyable to use.
In this article, we’ll explore seven key lessons that Bruce Lee could teach us about UX design, drawing on insights from Bruce Lee’s book, Tao of Jeet Kune Do, and UX designer and martial artist, Andrew Ou’s, The Tao of Design and User Experience.
1. Be flexible and adaptable. Be like water.
Being a great UX designer is a lot like being a Kung Fu master — you have to be flexible and adaptable or you’re going to get your ass kicked. This requires designers to be willing to make changes in response to user feedback and changing market conditions. Bruce Lee’s philosophy of “being like water” is a perfect metaphor for this approach. Water can flow around obstacles and adapt to the shape of its container, just as successful products must be able to adapt to changing circumstances and user needs.
2. Embrace simplicity.
Simplicity was at the core of Bruce Lee’s teachings. Avoid clutter and unnecessary complexity, focusing instead on creating interfaces that are intuitive and easy to navigate. Bruce Lee’s philosophy of “using no way as way, having no limitation as limitation” reminds us that simplicity is often the key to success. By stripping away unnecessary features and focusing on the core functionality of a product, designers can create products that are more effective and easier to use.
3. Don’t fight the user.
UX design requires us to put ourselves in the user’s shoes and consider their needs, goals, and preferences. Bruce Lee’s philosophy of “the art of fighting without fighting” tells us that the best products are those that don’t require users to overthink or expend unnecessary effort. By focusing on the user experience and creating interfaces that are intuitive and easy to use, designers can create products that users will love and want to use again and again.
4. Everything must be useful.
Bruce Lee’s philosophy of “absorb what is useful, discard what is not” is an excellent reminder that designers must be willing to let go of ideas that aren’t working and focus on what is working. By constantly testing, iterating, and improving, designers can create products that are always getting better and more effective.
5. Be innovative and creative.
Designers must be innovative and creative in their approach, constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Bruce Lee’s philosophy of “using different techniques to achieve a single goal” applied here, means that designers must be willing to experiment and try new things in order to create products that stand out from the crowd.
6. Be honest.
Designers must create products that are not only functional but also engaging and enjoyable to use. Bruce Lee’s philosophy of “expressing oneself honestly” is a reminder that products that are designed with passion and emotion are more likely to resonate with users and create a deeper connection.
7. Keep it consistent.
In his book, Ou notes that “successful products are those that are consistent in their design and messaging.” This requires designers to create interfaces that are cohesive and consistent, with a clear visual language and messaging that aligns with the brand. Bruce Lee’s philosophy of “being formless, shapeless, like water” is a reminder that consistency doesn’t mean rigidity — designers must be willing to adapt their designs to different contexts and devices while maintaining a consistent user experience.
Conclusion
Bruce Lee’s philosophy of “be like water, my friend” offers valuable lessons for UX designers looking to create products that are flexible, adaptable, and engaging. By embracing simplicity, focusing on the user experience, testing, iterating, improving, being innovative and creative, designing for emotion, and keeping things consistent, designers can create products that resonate with users and stand the test of time.
Successful products are those that are designed with the user in mind, and by following Bruce Lee’s example, designers can create products that could be unforgettable, just like the great man himself.
You can learn more about Andrew Ou at AndrewOu.com
This has been an independent review. If you’d like to order his book, I’d appreciate it if you used my Amazon Affiliate link.
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