In today’s digital landscape, understanding and applying the core principles of user experience (UX) design is essential. Whether you’re crafting interfaces for mobile apps or responsive websites, these laws help ensure that your designs are both functional and engaging. In this guide, we explore 31 UX laws—ranging from classic theories to modern heuristics—that every designer should know. We’ve updated our list for 2025 with the latest research and best practices, drawing inspiration from renowned resources.
By integrating these laws into your design process, you can create intuitive, accessible, and delightful experiences that meet both business goals and user needs. For additional insights into UX strategies and methodologies, check out our related articles on the UXNESS website.
User Experience (UX) design is governed by a set of well-established principles that help guide design decisions, reduce friction, and improve usability. These UX laws serve as guidelines for everything from layout and navigation to interaction and accessibility. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned designer, understanding these principles can enhance your design process and lead to better product outcomes. In this article, we break down 31 UX laws, offering practical examples and resource links for each, along with internal references to deepen your learning.
1. Fitts’ Law
Fitts’ Law states that the time required to rapidly move to a target area is a function of the target size and distance. In UX design, this means that interactive elements (like buttons) should be large enough and placed conveniently to reduce user effort. Designers can optimize interfaces by strategically positioning key actions where they are easiest to click or tap. For more on interactive design principles, explore our UI Best Practices section.
2. Hick’s Law
Hick’s Law explains that increasing the number of choices will increase the decision time. Simplify navigation and options by grouping similar items or using progressive disclosure. By reducing cognitive load, users can make decisions faster, leading to a more streamlined experience. Learn more about decision-making in design in our article on Hick’s Law in UX.
3. Miller’s Law
Miller’s Law suggests that the average person can hold about 7 (plus or minus 2) items in their working memory. This principle informs how we structure menus, lists, and other content. Limit the number of items presented at one time to avoid overwhelming your users. For additional strategies on managing cognitive load, check out our UX design insights.
4. Jakob’s Law
Jakob’s Law emphasizes that users prefer interfaces that work similarly to what they’re accustomed to. Familiarity breeds efficiency. When designing, use established conventions and patterns so that users feel comfortable and confident. For more examples and case studies, visit our Design Patterns page.
5. Tesler’s Law
Also known as the Law of Conservation of Complexity, Tesler’s Law posits that every application has an inherent amount of complexity that cannot be reduced. Instead, designers should focus on hiding complexity from the user through intuitive interfaces and thoughtful interactions. This principle is crucial when designing feature-rich applications.
6. Aesthetic-Usability Effect
The Aesthetic-Usability Effect states that users often perceive aesthetically pleasing design as more usable. Even if functionality is similar, a well-designed interface can lead to higher user satisfaction and better engagement. Emphasize clean, modern aesthetics to complement usability.
7. Law of Proximity (Gestalt Principle)
This Gestalt principle explains that objects close to each other are perceived as a group. Use spacing, alignment, and grouping to create a visual hierarchy that guides users through your content. For an in-depth look at Gestalt principles, read our article on The Gestalt Principles in Web Design.
8. Law of Similarity (Gestalt Principle)
According to the Law of Similarity, similar elements are perceived as related. Consistency in color, shape, or size can help users quickly understand the relationships between different parts of your interface. Apply this law to enhance visual coherence throughout your design.
9. Law of Common Region (Gestalt Principle)
This principle states that elements located within the same closed region are perceived as grouped. Use borders, backgrounds, or shading to delineate different sections of your layout. This makes it easier for users to understand content organization at a glance.
10. Law of Closure (Gestalt Principle)
The Law of Closure describes how the human brain tends to complete incomplete shapes or figures. In UX design, this means that users can fill in gaps in a design, which allows for minimalistic and abstract interfaces that still communicate effectively. Consider how negative space can be used creatively in your designs.
11. Law of Continuity (Gestalt Principle)
This law asserts that elements arranged on a line or curve are perceived as related. In navigation or process flows, ensure that visual cues lead the user’s eye smoothly from one step to the next. This helps in maintaining user focus and clarity of sequence in tasks.
12. Law of Prägnanz (Gestalt Principle)
Also known as the law of simplicity, this principle suggests that people will perceive ambiguous or complex images in the simplest form possible. Strive for simplicity and clarity in your designs to facilitate quick understanding and engagement. This approach aligns with modern minimalist trends in UX.
13. Von Restorff Effect
The Von Restorff Effect, or the isolation effect, indicates that an item that stands out is more likely to be remembered. Use contrast, color, or placement to highlight key elements such as calls to action or important notifications. This principle can boost both usability and conversion rates.
14. Serial Position Effect
This effect states that users are more likely to remember the first and last items in a series rather than the middle items. When organizing information or lists, consider placing the most important elements at the beginning or end to maximize recall and user impact.
15. Doherty Threshold
The Doherty Threshold is the principle that states performance improves when a computer responds to user input within 400 milliseconds. Fast, responsive design is critical for retaining users’ attention and ensuring a smooth interaction, particularly on mobile devices.
16. Parkinson’s Law
Parkinson’s Law implies that work expands to fill the time available for its completion. In UX, this can be applied to streamline processes and eliminate unnecessary steps. Focus on creating efficient workflows that allow users to accomplish tasks quickly and effectively.
17. Peak-End Rule
The Peak-End Rule suggests that users judge an experience largely based on how they felt at its peak and at its end. Ensure that your most critical interactions—such as onboarding and checkout processes—are designed to leave a positive, lasting impression.
18. Zeigarnik Effect
This principle states that people remember uncompleted tasks better than completed ones. Use this effect to create engaging experiences that encourage users to return and complete tasks, such as saving progress in multi-step forms or using notifications to remind users of unfinished actions.
19. Occam’s Razor
Occam’s Razor favors simplicity: when presented with competing hypotheses, the simplest one is usually correct. In UX design, this translates into stripping away unnecessary elements and focusing on what truly matters for the user’s journey. Embrace minimalism for cleaner, more intuitive designs.
20. Law of Simplicity
Simplicity is key in UX. The Law of Simplicity encourages designers to eliminate extraneous elements, reduce cognitive load, and streamline user interactions. Simple designs help users focus on the primary tasks, making your product more accessible and enjoyable.
21. Law of Consistency
Consistency is a cornerstone of good UX design. This law emphasizes that interfaces should behave consistently across different pages and states. A consistent design builds user trust and reduces the learning curve. Internal resources like our UI/UX Design Best Practices provide further insights into maintaining consistency.
22. Law of Feedback
Feedback is essential in guiding users through an interface. Every action should have an immediate response, whether it’s a visual cue, an animation, or a sound. This law ensures that users know their inputs have been received, reducing uncertainty and increasing satisfaction.
23. Law of Affordance
Affordance refers to the perceived and actual properties of an object that determine how it can be used. In UX design, it is crucial to design interactive elements (like buttons and links) so that users immediately understand their function. Use clear visual cues to indicate interactive areas.
24. Law of Accessibility
Design for everyone. The Law of Accessibility mandates that digital products be usable by people with diverse abilities. This includes providing alt text for images, ensuring keyboard navigability, and using high-contrast color schemes. Accessible design is not only ethical but also expands your audience reach.
25. Law of Delight
Delight in UX is about creating moments that pleasantly surprise users. Whether it’s through micro-interactions, thoughtful animations, or clever copy, delight can transform a mundane experience into a memorable one. This emotional connection can lead to higher user engagement and brand loyalty.
26. Law of Recognition Over Recall
This law stresses that interfaces should minimize the user’s memory load by making options, functions, and objects visible. Instead of requiring users to remember information, designs should prompt recognition. This is why menus, icons, and visual cues are vital to effective UX.
27. Law of Error Prevention
Prevent errors before they occur by designing with error prevention in mind. This law involves creating systems that help users avoid mistakes and providing clear, helpful error messages when issues do occur. Consider incorporating real-time validation and undo options in your design process.
28. Law of User Control and Freedom
Empower users by providing them with the ability to undo and redo actions, and easily exit unwanted states. This principle is fundamental to reducing frustration and creating a sense of control. Design interfaces that allow users to explore without fear of irreversible mistakes.
29. Law of Flexibility and Efficiency
This law suggests that while simplicity is key, experienced users should also have access to shortcuts and advanced options. Adaptive interfaces that cater to both novices and experts can significantly enhance productivity. Providing customization options or keyboard shortcuts are ways to meet this dual need.
30. Law of Minimalist Design
Inspired by Jakob Nielsen’s heuristics, this law reinforces that every additional piece of information competes with the relevant information. Remove unnecessary elements to let users focus on core content and functionality. Minimalist design not only looks modern but also contributes to faster load times and easier navigation.
31. Law of Progressive Disclosure
Progressive Disclosure involves presenting only necessary information upfront while keeping more detailed content accessible on demand. This approach reduces complexity and cognitive overload, allowing users to navigate interfaces at their own pace. It’s particularly effective for mobile designs and applications with multi-layered information.
Integrating UX Laws into Your Workflow
Incorporating these 31 UX laws into your design process isn’t about following rigid rules—it’s about understanding principles that help create effective, engaging, and user-friendly experiences. Here are a few strategies to seamlessly integrate these laws into your workflow:
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Research and Benchmarking: Start with user research to understand your audience’s needs and pain points. Utilize A/B testing and user interviews to evaluate which laws may have the greatest impact on your design.
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Iterative Design: Apply these laws incrementally. Create prototypes and conduct usability tests to observe how users interact with your design. Iterate based on feedback.
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Team Collaboration: Share these principles with your team. Ensure that everyone—from developers to marketers—understands the UX laws and their importance in creating cohesive experiences.
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Resource Sharing: Leverage internal resources and further reading. For example, our detailed guides on Gestalt Principles and Kano Model can provide deeper insights into specific UX strategies.
Additional Resources
For a deeper dive into the principles and practical applications of these UX laws, consider exploring the following resources:
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Laws of UX: A comprehensive guide that visually explains UX laws.
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UX Design Institute – Laws of UX: An academic perspective on how UX laws are applied in practice.
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Maze – UX/UI Design Laws: A collection of UX laws with practical examples.
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Qualaroo – Rules for UX Beginners: Tips and guidelines for those starting their UX journey.
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UX Tweak – UX Laws and Principles: A blog focused on improving user interfaces through tested principles.
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LoopPanel – Laws of UX: Further insights into the application of UX laws.
Further Learning
To expand your knowledge further, check out these articles on the UXNESS website:
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The Complete Guide to Hick’s Law in UX: A detailed look at how Hick’s Law shapes decision-making in design.
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The Gestalt Principles in Web Design: Understand the visual grouping and perception in UX.
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Kano Model: Explore the Kano model for evaluating customer satisfaction.
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10 Heuristic Principles – Jakob Nielsen’s Guidelines: A classic article on usability heuristics.
Conclusion
The journey to designing excellent user experiences is ongoing and ever-evolving. These 31 UX laws offer a framework that combines scientific principles with practical design strategies. By understanding and applying these laws, you can create interfaces that are not only visually appealing but also intuitive and effective. As technology advances and user expectations grow, revisiting these principles and integrating them with contemporary best practices will ensure your designs remain relevant and user-centric.
Keep experimenting, testing, and iterating your designs. The ultimate goal is to craft experiences that delight users while achieving business objectives. We hope this guide serves as a valuable reference for your next project. For more insights on UX and design trends, visit UXNESS and stay tuned for our upcoming articles on innovative design strategies for 2025.
By combining timeless UX laws with modern design thinking, you can build products that truly resonate with users. Happy designing!
Note: This article is updated for 2025 and reflects the latest trends and best practices in UX design. Always consider your specific audience and project requirements when applying these principles.
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