6 resources from Interaction Design Foundation we point founders to, and the questions each answers.
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Why we picked it
A clear, example rich walkthrough of Hick's Law with the history and the practical moves side by side. It shows how to figure out which functions to offer at each step so users are guided, not flooded. Good if you want a fuller narrative than a summary card.
Why we picked it
A hands on explainer of how size and distance shape whether a control feels easy or fiddly. It uses concrete UI examples, including why pie and radial menus can beat long lists. Read it when you are placing and sizing the buttons that matter most.
Why we picked it
Generous whitespace is half of the short answer, and this explains both macro and micro space clearly. You learn why breathing room around elements and between lines makes a product feel premium rather than crowded. Good for understanding why "just add more space" actually works.
Why we picked it
Polish is mostly restraint, and this lays out practical ways to strip a design down. It helps you resist the urge to add more styles, colors, and elements, which is exactly what makes early products feel busy and amateur. A useful counterweight when you are tempted to decorate.
Why we picked it
Kano gives you a vocabulary for why exciting features can mislead you: delighters add satisfaction, but missing basics (reliability, honouring what you promised) actively create anger. It shows that a broken basic hurts more than a shiny delighter helps. That is the model behind treating reliability as non negotiable and exciting as optional.
Why we picked it
This lays out the practical mechanics of a feedback session, including being neutral when you present the prototype and adapting your questions as you go without leading the witness. It's a good primer before your first few tests, especially if you're coming from a design-thinking background rather than a UX research one.
