Designers are known for their creativity, but sometimes, sticking to established conventions can be more effective. This blog post explores why reinventing familiar interfaces can add unnecessary complexity for users and discusses the importance of considering user experience in design decisions.
Introducing a new way to interact with a common feature can add “cognitive load” to the user’s experience. This means it forces them to re-learn a task they’ve already mastered in a different app or interface. While innovation is important, it should only be pursued if it offers a significant improvement over existing solutions.
For example, Google Docs采用了 (adopted) a menu bar similar to Microsoft Word’s pre-Vista interface. This consistency allows users familiar with Word to navigate Google Docs intuitively, reducing the need to learn a new system.
Another example is Pocket, a popular read-it-later app. In 2013, they had to change the location of their archive button in the Android app. Originally placed in the top left corner, it conflicted with the standard location for the “back” button on Android devices. This inconsistency caused confusion for new users, who accidentally archived articles instead of returning to their reading list.
By simply moving the archive button to a more intuitive location, Pocket increased new user retention by 23%. This demonstrates the importance of user-centred design and avoiding unnecessary deviations from established patterns.
Remember, innovation is valuable, but it should always be guided by a focus on enhancing the user experience. Sometimes, the best design solutions are those that leverage familiar patterns and minimise cognitive load.
