The book "Universal Principles of Design" is written by William Lidwell, Kritina Holden, and Jill Butler. It is a reference guide that explores 125 fundamental principles of design that can be applied across various disciplines, including graphic design, product design, user experience design, architecture, and more. The boo provides explanations, examples, and practical applications of each principle.
Key aspects:
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Aesthetic-Usability Effect: Aesthetically pleasing designs are perceived as more usable and effective.
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Feedback: Provide clear immediate feedback to users to confirm their actions or inform them about the system's status.
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Fitts's Law: The time required to reach a target is based on the target's size and distance, helping inform the placement and sizing of interactive elements.
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Hierarchy: Design visual elements to create a clear hierarchy of importance, guiding users' attention and understanding.
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Mapping: The relationship between controls and their effects should be intuitive and closely aligned to the user's mental model.
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Progressive Disclosure: Present information and functionality in a way that reveals complexity gradually, allowing users to focus on the most relevant information first.
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Simplicity: Strive for simplicity in design by removing unnecessary complexity and clutter. Make the user experience more intuitive and efficient.
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Error Prevention: Design to minimize the occurrence of errors. Provide safeguards or warnings when errors may occur.