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The humility of UX and design

Own your work, but don’t defend it

Take pride in your UX and design work and take ownership.

But don’t defend it.

If you test your work with users and they struggle with it, or they question your meaning, thank them for helping you; encourage them to tell you more.

Mental map. Cognitive load. Make these things easy and light for users.

People who say your UX and design work is perfect when you test it aren’t paying attention. Test it again.

People who find what you left out or ask why X happens the way it does are helping you see where your thoughts end, and theirs begin.

Listen to them.

They are right.

They are the users.

You are making things for them.

Good things come from good UX

Notes

1. Yes, new things that have never been seen before take some getting used to; don’t confuse that gap with lack of usability.
2. Yes, there’s no accounting for taste. You know the difference between taste and usability.