UX Glossary

Definition:

Comparing two versions of a webpage or app to determine which performs better.

Example:

Testing two different button colors to see which gets more clicks.

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Ensuring that your product is usable by people of all abilities and disabilities.

Example:

Adding alt text to images so screen readers can describe them to visually impaired users.

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The property of an object that indicates how it can be used.

Example:

A button looks clickable because of its shape and shading.

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Elements that prompt the user to take a specific action, like buttons or links.

Example:

A “Sign Up Now” button that encourages users to create an account.

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The amount of mental effort required for a user to use your product.

Example:

A cluttered interface with too many options can overwhelm users.

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Ensuring uniformity in design elements across your website or app.

Example:

Using the same button style, color, and font throughout the site.

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Deceptive design techniques that trick users into taking unintended actions.

Example:

Hiding the “unsubscribe” button in an email to make it hard to opt-out.

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Design elements that go beyond functionality to create a memorable and enjoyable experience for the user.

Example:

Animated micro-interactions that respond playfully to user actions.

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A collaborative visualization used to articulate what a user sees, hears, thinks, and feels, helping teams understand user experiences.

Example:

Mapping out a customer’s emotions during a frustrating checkout process.

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The design of a page or screen when no data or content is available, providing guidance on what to do next.

Example:

A blank to-do list that suggests, “Add your first task!”

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Design principles aimed at preventing user errors before they occur.

Example:

Confirming with users before they delete an important file.

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A predictive model of human movement used in UX design to determine the time required to move to a target area, such as a button or link.

Example:

Placing frequently used buttons closer to the user’s primary action area.

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Visual representations of user interaction data that show where users click, scroll, or spend the most time on a page.

Example:

A heatmap showing users frequently click on an unlinked header, indicating a desire for more information.

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A usability inspection method where evaluators identify usability problems in the UI based on established heuristics.

Example:

Assessing a site against Nielsen’s 10 Usability Heuristics.

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The structural design of shared information environments, organizing content to help users navigate efficiently.

Example:

Categorizing a blog’s content into clear, logical topics.

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The simplest version of a product that can be released to validate core features and gather user feedback.

Example:

Launching a basic app with only essential features to test market demand.

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Small pieces of text that guide users through a process, like buttons, tooltips, and error messages.

Example:

A button that says “Add to Cart” instead of just “Submit.”

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The process of guiding users through the initial setup or introduction to a product to help them understand its features and benefits.

Example:

A tutorial that shows users how to use key features when they first open an app.

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A technique that shows only the most important information upfront and reveals additional details as needed.

Example:

Showing basic settings on a page, with an option to “Show Advanced Settings” for expert users.

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Creating an early model of a product to test ideas, gather feedback, and refine design concepts.

Example:

Using Figma to create a clickable prototype of a new app feature.

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A design approach that ensures websites and applications work seamlessly across different devices and screen sizes.

Example:

A website that looks good on both a mobile phone and a desktop screen.

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The accumulation of design decisions that negatively impact user experience, often resulting from shortcuts taken during development.

Example:

A feature that was rushed to release without adequate user testing, leading to confusion.

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Observing real users as they interact with your product to identify usability issues.

Example:

Watching users struggle to find the checkout button on an e-commerce site.

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The path taken by a user to complete a task on a website or app.

Example:

From landing on the homepage to completing a purchase.

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A visual representation of the process a user goes through to accomplish a goal on your website or app.

Example:

Mapping out the steps a user takes from first encountering a product to making a purchase.

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A fictional representation of a typical user based on research, detailing their needs, goals, and behavior patterns.

Example:

“Sarah, a 35-year-old marketer who values quick and intuitive tools to save time.”

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A design approach that prioritizes the needs, wants, and limitations of end-users at every stage of the design process.

Example:

Iterating on a prototype based on user feedback from usability tests.

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The immediate visual response to a user action, such as a button changing color when clicked.

Example:

A form field highlighting in red when an invalid input is detected.

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The arrangement of elements in a way that implies importance, guiding users' eyes through the content.

Example:

A large, bold headline at the top of the page draws more attention than smaller text below it.

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A basic visual guide that represents the skeletal framework of a website or application.

Example:

A black-and-white outline showing the placement of elements like headers, text blocks, and buttons.

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