Article · ~15 min read

10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface Design

Jakob Nielsen · Nielsen Norman Group Free Beginner

The single most-cited usability framework in the field, from the definitive UX research authority. A checklist you can hold your product up against this afternoon.

  • Visibility of system status, always tell users what's happening.
  • Match the real world, use the user's language and mental models.
  • Prevent errors, and make consistency and standards the default.
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It answers 5 questions

  1. What are the core UX principles every founder should know?
  2. How do I know if my product is confusing to users?
  3. Why does good design actually matter for an early-stage startup?
  4. I keep hearing "don't make me think" but what does that actually mean when I'm designing a screen?
  5. How do I turn vague feedback like "the app feels clunky" into specific design changes I can actually make?

Read with it

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  2. Design tactics written specifically for developers and non-designers who need to ship good-looking UI without a design... refactoringui.com Book · ~250 pages Refactoring UI Adam Wathan & Steve Schoger
  3. The foundational text on human-centered design that every product person should read once. It rewires how you see every... jnd.org / Basic Books Book · ~350 pages The Design of Everyday Things Don Norman
  4. This is the piece that gives you permission to stop waiting for a big study. Nielsen shows that just five people uncover... Nielsen Norman Group Article · About a 10 minute read Why You Only Need to Test with 5 Users Jakob Nielsen
  5. The single best thing ever written on customer conversations. It teaches you to ask about the customer's life and past... momtestbook.com Book · ~130 pages The Mom Test Rob Fitzpatrick
  6. A crisp, visual reference of the psychology principles behind good UX, perfect for a founder who wants the 'why' without a... lawsofux.com Article · reference site Laws of UX Jon Yablonski
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