Usability Heuristics: 10 Usability Heuristics for Design

Usability heuristics are guidelines for ensuring that [user interface design](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ux-design-guide) is comprehensive, straightforward, and user-friendly. They serve as rules of thumb when building new programs, mobile apps, or websites that prioritize the user experience. These general principles lead to user-error prevention and encourage clear, <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-minimalist-interior-design-to-simplify-your-home' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-minimalist-interior-design-to-simplify-your-home","linkCopy":"minimalist designs","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>minimalist designs so that even novice users can understand how digital products function. Companies that follow usability heuristics ensure the visual design is intuitive so new and experienced users can easily navigate the products and services. Usability consultants Rolf Molich and Jakob Nielsen first developed the most commonly-used set of heuristics in 1990 to understand usability problems and establish design guidelines that favor clean and efficient user controls. This usability inspection method identifies the efficiency of use of the [user experience](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ui-design-guide) in human-computer interactions: 1. __Employ real-world conventions__. Designers should make icons and images recognizable to users. For example, if your app is for booking hotels, images of twin vs. full vs. queen vs. king-sized beds should be made clear via the graphics. Comparing the system operations with real-world objects is helpful to the user. 2. __Include emergency exits__. User freedom is critical, and if users make a mistake midway through an action or purchase, they should have a clear out or the ability to redo a step. Including emergency exits can help build user confidence. 3. __Set clear rules for users__. Ensure there are no structural inconsistencies in user tasks. Decide on the rules and standards of your website or program and stick to them to minimize cognitive load and the user’s need to learn new information. To ensure that designs are user-friendly, companies can usability testing, an evaluation process that involves real users performing tasks monitored on the site or app. 4. __Create clean designs__. A minimalist interaction design ensures that only the pertinent content and icons are on a given page. Too much clutter can confound the user. 5. __Include error recovery__. Error recovery is an essential part of user testing. Ensure that error pop-ups diagnose mistakes, so there is clarity for the users on the path toward completion. 6. __Build-in error prevention__. Good error messages help steer users in the right direction, but designers should still work error prevention into the structure of digital products to avoid user mistakes in the first place. 7. __Be transparent with system status__. Visibility of system status is beneficial to users. Be transparent about software updates, changes to the interface, and improvements or upgrades in progress. 8. __Create recognizable information__. Information should be made clear on each page or profile so that users do not need to recall information from previous pages. Key content that spells out how to use each feature or complete each step should be preexisting on each page. 9. __Make accessible help buttons__. Usability should be clear enough in your software that users do not need help. Still, user help should be accessible via a search bar or menu navigation. Feedback and a place for submitting questions should also be accessible. 10. __Incorporate shortcuts__. Keyboard shortcuts are unnecessary, but more expert users can use them as accelerators. Shortcuts allow for customization and enhance the user experience. Get a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com) and let David Carson be your personal tutor. The prolific and decorated designer—who’s been lauded as the “ art director of the era”—reveals his processes for going off the (design) grid, implementing typography in new and interesting ways, innovative uses of photography and collage, and so much more. Usability heuristics are principles designers follow to improve the user experience. UX designers help users understand a logical order for the frequent actions they may execute on website pages or in software programs.