Cheatsheet of UX Laws

1. Hick’s Law: The time it takes to make a decision increases with the number and complexity of choices available, so simplifying options enhances usability.
2. Fitts’ Law: The time required to move to a target is a function of the target size and distance, meaning larger and closer targets are easier and faster to hit.
3. Miller’s Law: The average person can hold 7±2 items in their working memory, suggesting that design should avoid overloading users with too much information at once.
4. Jackson’s Law: The time and effort required to perform a task are directly proportional to the complexity of the system, advocating for simpler systems to enhance efficiency.
5. Aesthetic Usability Effect: Users perceive more aesthetically pleasing designs as easier to use, even if the functionality is unchanged.
6. Pareto Principle: Also known as the 80/20 rule, it suggests that 80% of effects come from 20% of causes, encouraging focus on the most impactful areas.
7. Law of Proximity: Elements that are close to each other are perceived as being more related than elements that are spaced farther apart, aiding in visual organization.
8. Tesler’s Law: Also known as the law of conservation of complexity, it states that for any system, there is a certain amount of complexity that cannot be reduced, and it should be managed thoughtfully.
9. Zeigarnik Effect: People remember uncompleted or interrupted tasks better than completed ones, highlighting the importance of maintaining user engagement.
10. Peak-End Rule: People judge an experience based on how they felt at its peak (most intense point) and at its end, rather than the total experience, emphasizing the importance of creating strong and positive final impressions.

These laws guide UX designers in creating experiences that are intuitive, efficient, and emotionally satisfying.