The hottest User Experience Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

UX Roundup: Outpacing Human Aging | Animating Paintings | Domain-Specific UX | Bad AI Video | Top Avatars Vary by Platform | Search Research | o3-mini

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 15 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Technology, especially in healthcare, is advancing faster than many people age. This means tools like hearing aids are improving rapidly, helping users hear better than before.
  2. AI is starting to transform the design industry. It's becoming crucial for UX professionals to specialize in specific fields, like healthcare, because AI will handle many basic design tasks in the future.
  3. Students are increasingly using AI for schoolwork, and this trend is doubling yearly. Instead of seeing this as cheating, education should embrace AI as a valuable tool for learning.

What does DigitalOcean do?

Technically • 14 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. DigitalOcean is a service that rents out servers to developers for building web applications. It helps developers run their apps without needing their own hardware.
  2. Unlike bigger companies like AWS or Google Cloud, DigitalOcean is independent and not owned by a massive tech giant. This makes their approach more focused on users.
  3. They focus on simplicity and user experience, making it easier for developers to use their services compared to other cloud providers.

Claude Sonnet 3.7 Compared with Previous AI Models

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 13 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. The new AI model, Claude Sonnet 3.7, performs better than previous versions and outperforms other models, like Grok 3, in explaining key concepts like Jakob's Law.
  2. Jakob's Law highlights that users form their expectations based on their experiences with other websites. This means that following common design patterns is crucial for creating a user-friendly experience.
  3. Interactive demos created by AI can help users see how standard and non-standard designs affect usability, making it easier to understand the importance of sticking to familiar web conventions.

It was never about LLM performance

Technically • 41 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. It's not just about the performance numbers of large language models (LLMs). The real value lies in the experiences built on top of these models for customers.
  2. The ChatGPT interface demonstrates the importance of the overall experience over just the underlying model technology in LLMs.
  3. When considering open source LLMs, it's crucial to focus on the holistic experience that model providers offer, not just the performance metrics in comparison to closed source models.

People don't want to think more than they have to

UX Psychology • 39 implied HN points • 04 Mar 22
🔬 Science User Experience
  1. People prefer to take the path of least resistance and avoid thinking too much, unless necessary.
  2. The principle of least effort influences decision-making and problem-solving by favoring easier, quicker Type 1 thinking over more effortful Type 2 thinking.
  3. In UX design, creating seamless and effortless experiences that align with users' preferences for Type 1 thinking can enhance user satisfaction and engagement.
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Two Little Contraptions

Breaking Smart • 18 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🪑 Design User Experience
  1. There are two types of contraptions discussed: one is a physical item and the other is an idea.
  2. The physical contraption is a mood indicator dial that likely helps people understand their emotions better.
  3. The conceptual contraption may represent a way to think about situations or problems in a new light.

Scaling Zerodha's Reporting System through 7 million PostgreSQL tables

Engineering At Scale • 15 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Zerodha created an innovative system with 7 million PostgreSQL tables to handle user reporting requests efficiently. This solution tackled issues with slow queries and poor user experiences during busy periods.
  2. They switched from a synchronous to an asynchronous model, allowing users to submit requests and check back later for results. This change improved the overall user experience significantly.
  3. The new architecture involved using a temporary database to handle queries and storing results in many tables. While it works well for now, they might need to consider other solutions if user growth continues rapidly.

#50 Can we make social media kinder?

Design Lobster • 99 implied HN points • 11 Jan 21
🪑 Design User Experience
  1. Designing social media for kindness involves features like allowing users to easily admit mistakes, offer apologies, and forgive one another.
  2. Emphasize on usability and functionality in design processes to avoid overlooking critical issues, like the interference problems faced by the 1930's Radio Nurse baby monitor.
  3. Focus on how people use a designed product rather than just its appearance, as prioritizing usability can prevent unintended consequences and improve overall user experience.

Heuristic evaluation vs. user testing

UX Psychology • 39 implied HN points • 20 Jan 22
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Heuristic Evaluation involves experts examining an interface to find good and bad points, following specific industry standards for evaluation.
  2. User Testing is a more effective method since real users perform tasks on the interface, detecting major usability issues and providing valuable insights.
  3. While Heuristic Evaluation is quicker and cheaper, User Testing offers better performance estimates and detects more significant problems that affect user experience.

UX Roundup: Wealth and Happiness | Wealth and AI | ASI and Unemployment

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 13 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. There's a strong link between wealth and happiness. Generally, richer people tend to report being happier, showing that money does matter to a degree.
  2. AI has the potential to significantly boost our living standards over the next couple of decades. Even a doubling of wealth can make a big difference in people's lives.
  3. Superintelligent AI won't make humans obsolete. History shows that when smarter workers enter the workforce, new jobs and opportunities usually arise, benefiting everyone.

Trust is a design issue

Sunday Letters • 59 implied HN points • 06 Dec 21
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. When creating software, you're making promises to users about reliability and performance. If users can't trust your software to work well, they feel let down.
  2. Over time, adding too many features can slow down software and make it complicated. It's important for teams to keep user experience and performance in mind as they grow.
  3. Strong teams think carefully about the promises they make with each new feature. They aim to keep users happy and avoid feeling like they've broken that trust.

Why TikTok ‘Knows You’: The Data Trick That Makes It Tick

The Daily Bud • 12 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. TikTok's algorithm is really good at guessing what you want to watch next. It keeps improving by watching how you interact with videos.
  2. Unlike other apps, TikTok avoids mixing user data, which helps keep recommendations super personal. This means you get content that's more tailored just for you.
  3. The way TikTok designs its data storage prevents recommendations from getting mixed up. This leads to a cleaner and more enjoyable experience while using the app.

Worse is better

Sunday Letters • 59 implied HN points • 31 Oct 21
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Simplicity in software design is really important. When software is simple, it’s often easier for users to understand and use.
  2. Many engineers feel pressure to add more features, which can make software more complex. This push for complexity can lead to better options for users who prefer easier solutions.
  3. Sometimes, simpler software can outperform more complex systems. Users appreciate clear and easy-to-use options, leading to the idea that 'worse is better'.

Scalability Applies Beyond Tech

Kartick’s Blog • 17 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Scalability isn't just for tech; it also applies to user experience. Good UX can cater to different user needs without confusion, like how WhatsApp offers various ways to communicate.
  2. Public services also need to be scalable for everyone, regardless of income. Services should meet diverse needs rather than just providing a one-size-fits-all solution.
  3. Even our personal traits, like politeness, should be scalable. It's important to adjust our behavior based on the situation and context, finding a balance between being too polite and too rude.

Anthropological Intelligence

Gradient Ascendant • 13 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Many tech startups are not really pushing new technology; they're mostly testing if people will use what already exists in new ways. Uber and AirBnB combine known tech in ways that challenge social norms.
  2. AI startups are even more focused on understanding user relationships with technology. It's still unclear how people want to use AI, making early experiments tricky.
  3. The success of AI startups might depend not just on the technology but also on user appeal. AI that feels more charming or relatable might win out over others, even if the tech is similar.

5-second tests: Measuring first impressions

UX Psychology • 39 implied HN points • 29 Nov 21
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. The 5-second test is a form of usability testing to measure users' first impressions of a design by showing them a fixed interface for a short time.
  2. Aesthetic elements influence users' first impressions, which form quickly within the first few seconds of viewing a design. Designers have a limited time to make a good first impression.
  3. The 5-second test is effective for assessing perceived usability and initial reactions to an interface, but it does not measure actual usability or comprehension of complex information.

Through Your User's Eyes

Tribal Knowledge • 19 implied HN points • 10 Jan 23
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Users don't see products like creators do. They focus on the problem and need the solution to be presented clearly and function well.
  2. Understanding the technical capabilities of users is crucial. Intuitive design is key, as Apple exemplifies in their products.
  3. Building with user experience in mind is essential. Software should be intuitive, especially for everyday consumers, as clunky designs are no longer tolerated.

A preview of Offline's mission & positioning

Offline: dating that works • 1 HN point • 21 Jun 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Offline aims to facilitate meaningful, lasting relationships by focusing on authentic connections rather than swiping.
  2. They prioritize long-form profiles and compatibility testing to help users find genuine matches and filter through potential partners.
  3. Offline is designed for unconventionally attractive daters and those who are intentional about what they want in a relationship.

How the iPhone innovated without inventing

subtract • 5 implied HN points • 18 Jun 25
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. The iPhone combined multiple devices into one, making it easy to call, text, and access the internet all in one place. This made it super convenient for users.
  2. Apple improved the user experience by using a touchscreen instead of a physical keyboard. This lets people customize the interface to fit their needs better.
  3. The original iPhone didn’t create new technology but used existing ideas in a better way. It solved problems that other devices didn't, like being user-friendly and fun to use.

UX Roundup: Design Metrics | Users Don’t Like to Read | Kids and Dark Design | Chinese Design | Single Name Field | Stop CAPTCHA

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 15 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Design metrics should focus on user value, such as how quickly they can complete tasks. Faster completion times lead to happier users and more engagement.
  2. Most users prefer to get straight to the point and often skip reading long instructions or explanations. Keeping things simple and clear is essential.
  3. Children are becoming more aware of misleading design patterns online, but many still struggle to identify them accurately. Educating kids about digital design can help them navigate online spaces more safely.

UX Roundup: 2025 UX Themes | Put New AI Models to the Test | AI Slide Creation | AI Analyzing Usability Tests | AI Job Creation | AI & UX Jobs

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 11 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. AI can help create slide presentations automatically from written content. This saves time and makes presenting easier.
  2. Using new AI models can improve work tasks, but it's important to regularly test these new tools to see if they perform better than older versions.
  3. AI is changing job landscapes. While some jobs might go away, new ones that require skills to work with AI are popping up, leading to more opportunities overall.

Top 10 UX Videos of 2024

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 11 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. In 2024, AI video creation really improved a lot. By the end of the year, the videos looked and sounded much better than the videos made earlier, almost like real productions.
  2. Some popular videos were made with AI tools and others were shot with real people. This mix made for interesting content, showing how both methods can be effective.
  3. Advancements in AI also allowed for podcasts and videos to be translated into multiple languages, making it easier to reach audiences around the world.

I want Apple's Vision Pro

SatPost by Trung Phan • 47 implied HN points • 16 Jun 23
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Apple's Vision Pro headset is priced at $3,500 and focuses on creating the ideal workspace experience.
  2. Vision Pro offers a unique spatial computing experience, differentiating it from VR and AR technologies.
  3. The headset's potential lies in transforming work productivity, offering advanced hardware, and enhancing creativity through virtual spaces.

To build trust in complexity, offer small choices and fast feedback

amivora • 4 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
💼 Business User Experience
  1. Giving users small choices helps them feel in control during complex processes. When people can make little decisions, they feel less overwhelmed.
  2. Fast feedback is important. When users get immediate responses to their choices, it makes them feel more at ease and engaged in the process.
  3. Building trust takes time, so it's good to guide users step by step. This way, they understand what’s happening and can feel more secure with new tools or services.

Simplify your product design — borrow familiar patterns

amivora • 9 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Making product design simple helps users feel comfortable and familiar, just like using everyday items. This means users can start using your product without needing to learn it first.
  2. Using familiar patterns in your design, like placing buttons where users expect them, makes the product easier to navigate. This creates a predictable experience, so users know what to do without guessing.
  3. Borrowing well-known interfaces can help new technologies become popular quickly. When users see something they already understand, they’re more likely to try it out without feeling overwhelmed.

UX Roundup: AI Follow-Up Questions in Usability Studies | Top UX Evaluation Methods | AI Use in UX | Keep Users in the Flow | New Grok Image Model

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 11 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. AI can help in usability studies by asking follow-up questions, but it might not ask deep questions like a human can. This means while AI can assist, it can't fully replace human moderators just yet.
  2. The top user experience methods remain user interviews, remote user testing, and heuristic evaluations. These methods have been popular for decades and are still essential in UX work.
  3. AI is not widely used in UX yet, with many professionals using it only occasionally. Learning to use AI in UX can give you a big advantage in your career as the field evolves.

From Papercuts to Autopilot: The Future of Feedback

Kathy PM • 7 implied HN points • 24 Mar 25
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. AI can help manage and interpret user feedback, making it easier to spot problems before users even notice. It could automatically suggest improvements while freeing up time for developers.
  2. There are several AI tools available now that can help teams organize customer feedback, summarize reports, and brainstorm ideas. These tools can make feedback easier to handle day-to-day.
  3. While AI will enhance the feedback process, human insight is still vital. People must interpret feedback in context and find creative solutions that AI alone cannot provide.

UX Roundup: AI Video Editing | AI Avatars Compared | NotebookLM Team Leaves

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 11 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. CapCut is an AI video editor that, while powerful, is not as easy to learn as people say. Users can edit videos by working with AI-generated transcripts, which can improve the final cut.
  2. Creating AI avatars can be done through different services like Humva, D-ID, and HeyGen. Humva is the easiest to use, while HeyGen offers the most features but is also the most complex.
  3. It's smarter to subscribe to AI services monthly rather than yearly. AI changes quickly, and you want to be flexible to switch to better tools as they become available.

UX Roundup: AI-First Design | Dark Design | Non-Deterministic UX | Jakob Live | User Research Job

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 27 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. AI-first products involve retrofitting AI onto existing software for productivity gains, but true advancements come from rethinking work processes and building new AI-first products.
  2. Avoid dark design patterns in UX to create ethical and user-friendly interfaces.
  3. Designing for non-deterministic UX involves adapting to AI systems that generate outcomes dynamically and focusing on ambiguity and dynamism.

UX Roundup: Cookie Banners Waste Time | Building AI Infrastructure | Bigger AI Training Clusters | AI Avatar Keynote Summary

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 11 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Cookie consent banners waste a huge amount of time for users, costing billions in productivity. Most people ignore them or find them useless.
  2. NVIDIA's approach to building AI infrastructure allows for significantly faster performance improvements compared to traditional methods, promising exciting advancements in AI capabilities.
  3. Virtual try-on technology is becoming more accessible, allowing users to see how clothes look on them without needing a photoshoot, which can change the shopping experience.

UX Roundup: OpenAI Canvas | Evaluating AI Video | AI Podcast | AI Translation | AI Adoption & Retention | Flux 1.1

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 13 implied HN points • 07 Oct 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. OpenAI's new feature, Canvas, lets users interact directly with text in a document instead of just chatting. You can now point at specific text and tell the AI exactly how to change it.
  2. Meta has introduced a video generation model called Movie Gen that rates the quality of videos by having people compare them side by side. This helps to figure out which AI creates better videos.
  3. AI is being adopted quickly, with many people using it regularly for tasks at work. It's even being used at a faster rate than the internet was when it first started.

UX Roundup: Portfolio Without Experience | AI-UX Course | Jakob on UX Greece | Test with 5 Users | ImageGen Shootout

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 23 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. When building a UX portfolio without experience, focus on real-world relevance and storytelling to stand out from generic student projects.
  2. Consider volunteering, joining tech apprenticeships, or freelancing for startups to gain practical UX experience and build a compelling portfolio.
  3. Attending courses like 'UX for AI' can enhance your skills and knowledge in the UX field, adding value to your career development.

Beware programmer traps!

Sunday Letters • 39 implied HN points • 21 Nov 21
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. It's hard for people in tech to explain ideas to non-technical folks. What seems clear to a programmer can be confusing to others.
  2. Designing products based on complex models can lead to failure if they don’t connect with everyday users. Sometimes, simpler products that reflect real user needs work better.
  3. Being aware of different perspectives is key. User testing helps ensure ideas make sense to everyone, not just those with technical backgrounds.

A quick product simplicity test: remove all the explainers

amivora • 3 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
💼 Business User Experience
  1. A good way to test if a product is simple is to see if users can figure it out without any guides. If they can, it’s likely designed well.
  2. Sometimes, new user experiences with lots of explanations can become a crutch instead of making the product easier to use. It's important to focus on making the product itself clear.
  3. Thinking about how a product would work without any explanations can help improve its usability. This can lead to a better overall user experience.

#38: Agathonicity

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 79 implied HN points • 22 Jul 20
🪑 Design User Experience
  1. Agathonicity means some things get better with use. For example, your favorite pair of worn-in shoes or a well-loved book can provide a richer experience over time.
  2. Many modern products are designed to be thrown away instead of repaired. This throwaway culture makes us less likely to seek out items that improve with age and care.
  3. Designers can create products that require more from users, leading to a stronger, more loyal connection. By asking users to engage more, items can become more valuable and enjoyable over time.

UX Roundup: Sora: Not Impressed | AI Startups Growth | Hiring Staff with AI Skills | 150K LinkedIn Followers | AI Training on YouTube | Apple Intelligence Useless | Dr. AI | New o3 model

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 9 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. AI startups are growing really fast, with many making 10% more each month. This growth is now normal because of the buzz around AI.
  2. It's important to hire people who know how to work with AI. One way to test candidates is to have them solve problems using AI during the interview.
  3. Many users find Apple's AI features not very helpful, showing that just adding AI to a product doesn't guarantee it will be useful or improve the experience.