Our Senior Designer, Lee, wanted to level up his UX skills. Here’s a peek into his journey and the top things he’s learned along the way!
User experience (UX) design is all about creating great experiences for people using tech and services—but what does that actually mean, and why is it so important? In this blog, we’re diving into the basics of UX design to break it all down and share some cool insights on building products people love to use.
What is user experience (UX) design?
As its core, UX design is all about how it feels to use something—a product, system, or service. It’s not just about being fast or efficient; it’s about building trust, giving users a sense of control, and making them feel good. A great user experience leaves people feeling confident, capable, and happy.
To do this, UX design brings together three key things:
Functionality – what it does
Aesthetics – how it looks
Experience – how it makes you feel
These have to work together seamlessly. Even the most useful or best-looking product can fall flat if the overall experience doesn’t connect with users.
The power of emotional design
Emotions are a big deal when it comes to how people use and feel about a product. Negative emotions hit harder—bad experiences stand out way more than good ones. People remember the flaws more than the wins.
Key takeaway: Great products need to focus on the experience just as much as how they look and work. UX isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have for that all-important competitive advantage.
Why desirability matters in product development
When designing a new product, UX designers look at three key factors:
Feasibility – can it actually be built?
Viability – will it make money?
Desirability – does it solve a real problem for the user?
While feasibility and viability are important, desirability is what makes a product truly successful. As Theodore Levitt put it: “People don’t want a quarter-inch drill bit. They want a quarter-inch hole.” To create products people actually want, designers need to dig into user research and come up with solutions that truly improve their lives.
The simplicity challenge
One of the biggest mistakes in product design is overcomplicating things. Adding features without thinking it through can make things confusing, mess with the user experience, and drive people away.
In fact, studies show that 80% of users only use 20% of a product’s features. But still, a lot of companies pile on extra features, creating unnecessary confusion and doubt.
Examples in practice:
Microsoft Word has a cluttered interface because of all the extra features added over the years, making simple tasks harder. Google Docs, on the other hand, keeps things simple, giving you just the essentials in an easy-to-use, streamlined way.
Problem-solving through UX
Good design is fundamentally about solving problems. The best products, like Spotify and Dropbox, nailed it by tackling real user pain points:
Spotify made accessing music super easy, so you didn’t have to deal with messy file management.
Dropbox took the headache out of cloud storage, making file sharing and access a breeze.
On the flip side, products like Google Plus flopped because they didn’t solve a problem people actually had. Even with a slick design, it couldn’t compete with Facebook, which already had the social scene covered.
UX design best practices
Research and define: Figure out the problem first before jumping into solutions. Skipping research might feel like progress, but it’s usually just a waste of time and resources.
Prototyping: High-quality prototypes help you test ideas, clear up confusion, and avoid big mistakes down the line.
Prioritisation: Focus on what most users will actually need. Designing for rare “what if” scenarios can make things complicated for everyone else.
User-centric thinking: Always think about what the user needs—not what you assume they want. Remember, you’re not the target audience!
Conclusion
UX design isn’t just about how things look or work—it’s about creating experiences that connect with people on an emotional level. When designers focus on simplicity, solving real problems, and making things people actually want, they can build products that don’t just work—they feel great to use.
In today’s competitive landscape, where user expectations are higher than ever, mastering the principles of UX design is essential for creating solutions that stand out and succeed.
❓Need some help with your design? Get in touch today.
A specialist brand agency: an extension of your team
Is your brand truly hitting the mark? If not, we’re here to help.
For over 20 years, our multi-award-winning branding agency, Threerooms, has been optimising brands and helping businesses and marketers stand out and thrive. Whether you're crafting a new brand or refining an established one, our team is dedicated to delivering transformative brand solutions tailored to help you achieve your goals.
Read more: What is a branding agency? Their role and benefits
