Design Principles

Design principles are project-specific rules that guide design decisions.

They translate strategy into interface choices.

Example

If a principle is “technical simplicity,” the UI should explain complex information in plain language and avoid overwhelming the user.

Use Them To Decide

  • what to emphasize
  • what to remove
  • how to choose between alternatives
  • how to explain decisions to stakeholders

Strong Principles

Strong principles are:

  • specific to the project
  • connected to user needs
  • useful when choosing between options
  • easy to explain
  • visible in the final interface