The Ultimate
UX Glossary
Learn all of the terms the pros in the field use to talk about what the nitty-gritty of the craft. Master these and you'll be the life of the next UX-happy hour at some dingey brewery with too many sours on tap.
A/B Testing
Imagine you're a chef trying two different recipes for chocolate cake to see which one makes your dinner guests ask for seconds. A/B testing is just that, but for websites. You bake two versions of a page and serve them up to see which one has visitors coming back for more.
"After A/B testing, we discovered users prefer the website version that doesn't play 'Happy Birthday' on loop. Go figure."
A/B Testing
Imagine you're a chef trying two different recipes for chocolate cake to see which one makes your dinner guests ask for seconds. A/B testing is just that, but for websites. You bake two versions of a page and serve them up to see which one has visitors coming back for more.
"After A/B testing, we discovered users prefer the website version that doesn't play 'Happy Birthday' on loop. Go figure."
Accessibility
It's like throwing a party and making sure everyone, including your friend who only communicates through interpretive dance, can get in and enjoy themselves. Accessibility ensures your digital shindig is a hit with everyone, no velvet ropes or bouncers in sight.
"We ramped up our site's accessibility so much, even your grandma who still uses a rotary phone could RSVP."
Accessibility
It's like throwing a party and making sure everyone, including your friend who only communicates through interpretive dance, can get in and enjoy themselves. Accessibility ensures your digital shindig is a hit with everyone, no velvet ropes or bouncers in sight.
"We ramped up our site's accessibility so much, even your grandma who still uses a rotary phone could RSVP."
Affordance
This is when a door looks so much like it needs pushing, it practically pushes itself. In the digital world, affordance is making buttons and links scream, "Click me!" because nobody likes when a website is confusing.
"We made our 'Submit' button so obvious in its affordance, our inboxes are overflowing with complements."
Affordance
This is when a door looks so much like it needs pushing, it practically pushes itself. In the digital world, affordance is making buttons and links scream, "Click me!" because nobody likes when a website is confusing.
"We made our 'Submit' button so obvious in its affordance, our inboxes are overflowing with complements."
Anthropometrics
This is the science of measuring people's body parts, not for some weird Frankenstein project, but to make sure stuff like chairs, keyboards, and phones don't feel like they're designed for wet alien tentacles instead of human hands.
"Armed with anthropometrics, we designed a smartphone that actually fits in your pocket, unless you're wearing skinny jeans."
Anthropometrics
This is the science of measuring people's body parts, not for some weird Frankenstein project, but to make sure stuff like chairs, keyboards, and phones don't feel like they're designed for wet alien tentacles instead of human hands.
"Armed with anthropometrics, we designed a smartphone that actually fits in your pocket, unless you're wearing skinny jeans."
Behavioral Economics
Picture trying to understand why people buy 17 packs of toilet paper when they hear the word 'snow'. Behavioral economics digs into the wacky world of why we do what we do with our money, especially when it makes zero sense.
"By applying behavioral economics, we figured out why users would rather collect virtual coins than save actual money."
Behavioral Economics
Picture trying to understand why people buy 17 packs of toilet paper when they hear the word 'snow'. Behavioral economics digs into the wacky world of why we do what we do with our money, especially when it makes zero sense.
"By applying behavioral economics, we figured out why users would rather collect virtual coins than save actual money."
Cognitive Load
This is your brain on information overload, like trying to remember all your internet passwords at once. Cognitive load is about not turning users' brains into scrambled eggs by making websites as easy to digest as a mango smoothie. Unless you're alergic to mangoes...
"We reduced the cognitive load so much, browsing our site now feels like floating on a cloud made of puppies."
Cognitive Load
This is your brain on information overload, like trying to remember all your internet passwords at once. Cognitive load is about not turning users' brains into scrambled eggs by making websites as easy to digest as a mango smoothie. Unless you're alergic to mangoes...
"We reduced the cognitive load so much, browsing our site now feels like floating on a cloud made of puppies."
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Content Strategy
That's your plan for not letting your website turn into a digital dumpster fire of random thoughts. Content strategy is like being the wise old librarian who knows exactly where every book should go, so readers always find the treasure they seek. My other cofounders delegated the content strategy to me and look at how far it's gotten us. Like it or not, you're experiencing the content strategy right now! AHHHH!
"Our content strategy is so on point, finding information on our site is easier than finding Waldo in a one-person lineup."
Content Strategy
That's your plan for not letting your website turn into a digital dumpster fire of random thoughts. Content strategy is like being the wise old librarian who knows exactly where every book should go, so readers always find the treasure they seek. My other cofounders delegated the content strategy to me and look at how far it's gotten us. Like it or not, you're experiencing the content strategy right now! AHHHH!
"Our content strategy is so on point, finding information on our site is easier than finding Waldo in a one-person lineup."
Contextual Inquiry
This is like being a digital detective, following users around in their natural habitat to see why, when, and how they use your app to order pizza at 2 AM. It's all about understanding the wild behaviors in their tech jungle.
"After some contextual inquiry, we learned that our app is most popular with night owls who have a craving for pepperoni."
Contextual Inquiry
This is like being a digital detective, following users around in their natural habitat to see why, when, and how they use your app to order pizza at 2 AM. It's all about understanding the wild behaviors in their tech jungle.
"After some contextual inquiry, we learned that our app is most popular with night owls who have a craving for pepperoni."
Cross-Platform Design
Crafting a digital experience that feels like your favorite comfy couch, whether you're chilling on a smartphone, tablet, or desktop. Cross-platform design ensures you get the same warm fuzzies from your tech, no matter the screen size.
"Thanks to cross-platform design, using our app is like wearing your favorite hoodie; comforting, familiar, and fits just right, big screen or small."
Cross-Platform Design
Crafting a digital experience that feels like your favorite comfy couch, whether you're chilling on a smartphone, tablet, or desktop. Cross-platform design ensures you get the same warm fuzzies from your tech, no matter the screen size.
"Thanks to cross-platform design, using our app is like wearing your favorite hoodie; comforting, familiar, and fits just right, big screen or small."
Dark Pattern
It's like your website playing dirty tricks to make users accidentally sign up for a lifetime supply of llama facts. Dark patterns are the digital equivalent of "no backsies" but in a way that makes everyone mad. It's generally frowned upon to practice dark pattern design in products.
"We cleared out the dark patterns, so now the only way you'll get llama facts is if you genuinely want to become a llama expert."
Dark Pattern
It's like your website playing dirty tricks to make users accidentally sign up for a lifetime supply of llama facts. Dark patterns are the digital equivalent of "no backsies" but in a way that makes everyone mad. It's generally frowned upon to practice dark pattern design in products.
"We cleared out the dark patterns, so now the only way you'll get llama facts is if you genuinely want to become a llama expert."
Ecological Validity
This is making sure that what you observe in your fancy lab tests actually happens in the wild, like confirming that people do use their smartphones in the shower, and it's not just a weird rumor. Ecological validity keeps your findings as real as the pain of your last breakup.
"We aimed for ecological validity, and yep, turns out folks really do tweet from the tub."
Ecological Validity
This is making sure that what you observe in your fancy lab tests actually happens in the wild, like confirming that people do use their smartphones in the shower, and it's not just a weird rumor. Ecological validity keeps your findings as real as the pain of your last breakup.
"We aimed for ecological validity, and yep, turns out folks really do tweet from the tub."
Fitts's Law
It's the idea that the bigger and closer something is, the easier it is to whack it with your mouse. Basically, it explains why you never miss the "Buy Now" button but always struggle with those tiny 'X' icons to close ads.
"According to Fitts's Law, we made our 'Submit' button so big and close, you could hit it with your elbow by accident."
Fitts's Law
It's the idea that the bigger and closer something is, the easier it is to whack it with your mouse. Basically, it explains why you never miss the "Buy Now" button but always struggle with those tiny 'X' icons to close ads.
"According to Fitts's Law, we made our 'Submit' button so big and close, you could hit it with your elbow by accident."
Gamification
This is when websites turn everything into a game, where shopping earns you points, and you level up by reviewing products. It's like turning life into a video game, but the only dragons you're slaying are in the form of completing your profile. Kind of sad if you think about it... anyways, we'll give you some fake internet points if you read all the way through the whole glossary. They're brand new internet points too... you'll love 'em!
"We gamified our app so hard, users now ask if defeating their shopping list will finally free the princess. To that we say – 'Corporate won't let us!' and carry on with our day."
Gamification
This is when websites turn everything into a game, where shopping earns you points, and you level up by reviewing products. It's like turning life into a video game, but the only dragons you're slaying are in the form of completing your profile. Kind of sad if you think about it... anyways, we'll give you some fake internet points if you read all the way through the whole glossary. They're brand new internet points too... you'll love 'em!
"We gamified our app so hard, users now ask if defeating their shopping list will finally free the princess. To that we say – 'Corporate won't let us!' and carry on with our day."
Gestalt Principles
These are brain tricks that make us see a dolphin in a sea of dots or a happy face in a car's front. They're about making users see what you want them to see on your site, without having to connect the dots for them.
"Thanks to the Gestalt Principles, visitors to our site immediately see the 'Buy' button as a beacon of hope in a chaotic world."
Gestalt Principles
These are brain tricks that make us see a dolphin in a sea of dots or a happy face in a car's front. They're about making users see what you want them to see on your site, without having to connect the dots for them.
"Thanks to the Gestalt Principles, visitors to our site immediately see the 'Buy' button as a beacon of hope in a chaotic world."
Heuristic Evaluation
It's like having your website go through a reality TV makeover, with judges pointing out every flaw, from broken links to confusing layouts, all so it can emerge as a swan that users will love at first sight.
"After our heuristic evaluation, our website went from 'What is this?' to 'This is it!'"
Heuristic Evaluation
It's like having your website go through a reality TV makeover, with judges pointing out every flaw, from broken links to confusing layouts, all so it can emerge as a swan that users will love at first sight.
"After our heuristic evaluation, our website went from 'What is this?' to 'This is it!'"
Hick's Law
The more choices you offer, the longer it takes for someone to make a decision. Hick's Law explains why it's easier to choose your ice cream flavor at home than at the store with 50 options. It's about keeping it simple so users don't freeze up like a deer in digital headlights.
"By applying Hick's Law, we trimmed down our menu from a novel to a pamphlet, and now people can actually decide what they want before the next ice age."
Hick's Law
The more choices you offer, the longer it takes for someone to make a decision. Hick's Law explains why it's easier to choose your ice cream flavor at home than at the store with 50 options. It's about keeping it simple so users don't freeze up like a deer in digital headlights.
"By applying Hick's Law, we trimmed down our menu from a novel to a pamphlet, and now people can actually decide what they want before the next ice age."
Human Factors Engineering
This is the art of designing things so that humans don't need an engineering degree to use them. It's about acknowledging that people are perfectly imperfect and making sure they don't have to sprout extra limbs to use your product.
"Thanks to human factors engineering, our coffee machine no longer requires an advanced degree and a ritual dance to produce a latte."
Human Factors Engineering
This is the art of designing things so that humans don't need an engineering degree to use them. It's about acknowledging that people are perfectly imperfect and making sure they don't have to sprout extra limbs to use your product.
"Thanks to human factors engineering, our coffee machine no longer requires an advanced degree and a ritual dance to produce a latte."
Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
This is studying how humans and computers can best get along, like a digital couples therapy. HCI works on smoothing out the rough patches so that interacting with technology feels less like a struggle and more like a partnership.
"After diving into HCI, we realized our software was the equivalent of leaving the toilet seat up in the relationship, and we promptly fixed that."
Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
This is studying how humans and computers can best get along, like a digital couples therapy. HCI works on smoothing out the rough patches so that interacting with technology feels less like a struggle and more like a partnership.
"After diving into HCI, we realized our software was the equivalent of leaving the toilet seat up in the relationship, and we promptly fixed that."
Human Factors Engineering
This is the art of designing things so that humans don't need an engineering degree to use them. It's about acknowledging that people are perfectly imperfect and making sure they don't have to sprout extra limbs to use your product.
"Thanks to human factors engineering, our coffee machine no longer requires an advanced degree and a ritual dance to produce a latte."
Human Factors Engineering
This is the art of designing things so that humans don't need an engineering degree to use them. It's about acknowledging that people are perfectly imperfect and making sure they don't have to sprout extra limbs to use your product.
"Thanks to human factors engineering, our coffee machine no longer requires an advanced degree and a ritual dance to produce a latte."
Inclusive Design
It's like throwing a party and making sure there's something for everyone, from your vegan cousin to your friend who only listens to Norwegian death metal. Inclusive design means everyone's invited and feels welcome, no matter their quirks or abilities.
"Our approach to inclusive design means our app is as friendly to left-handers as it is to those who've never used a smartphone without adult supervision."
Inclusive Design
It's like throwing a party and making sure there's something for everyone, from your vegan cousin to your friend who only listens to Norwegian death metal. Inclusive design means everyone's invited and feels welcome, no matter their quirks or abilities.
"Our approach to inclusive design means our app is as friendly to left-handers as it is to those who've never used a smartphone without adult supervision."
Information Architecture (IA)
Imagine you're the librarian of the internet, and instead of books, you're organizing webpages. IA is like deciding whether the cat videos go next to the gourmet cooking tutorials or in a completely different section. It's making sure when someone asks, "Where's the good stuff?" you don't just shrug but point them exactly where they need to go.
"We whipped our site's Information Architecture into shape; finding things is now as easy as pie, which, by the way, is under 'Desserts', not 'Pi'."
Information Architecture (IA)
Imagine you're the librarian of the internet, and instead of books, you're organizing webpages. IA is like deciding whether the cat videos go next to the gourmet cooking tutorials or in a completely different section. It's making sure when someone asks, "Where's the good stuff?" you don't just shrug but point them exactly where they need to go.
"We whipped our site's Information Architecture into shape; finding things is now as easy as pie, which, by the way, is under 'Desserts', not 'Pi'."
Information Scent
This is the digital version of following the smell of baking cookies to find the kitchen. Information scent helps users sniff out the path to the content they're craving, without getting lost in the weeds of irrelevant links.
"We improved the information scent so well, users can now find our hidden easter eggs without a map or a sniffer dog."
Information Scent
This is the digital version of following the smell of baking cookies to find the kitchen. Information scent helps users sniff out the path to the content they're craving, without getting lost in the weeds of irrelevant links.
"We improved the information scent so well, users can now find our hidden easter eggs without a map or a sniffer dog."
Service Blueprinting
Imagine you're a detective with a magnifying glass, but instead of solving a murder mystery, you're diving into the thrilling world of organizational processes. Yes, we're talking about drawing a map that shows who does what, when, and how in your business, so you can figure out why calling customer service feels like being in a maze without cheese.
"Service blueprinting was like our organizational GPS, helping us find and fix the roadblocks in our customer support highway."
Service Blueprinting
Imagine you're a detective with a magnifying glass, but instead of solving a murder mystery, you're diving into the thrilling world of organizational processes. Yes, we're talking about drawing a map that shows who does what, when, and how in your business, so you can figure out why calling customer service feels like being in a maze without cheese.
"Service blueprinting was like our organizational GPS, helping us find and fix the roadblocks in our customer support highway."
Touchpoint
Think of touchpoints as every high-five, fist bump, or awkward elbow touch you share with your customers. It's every time they stumble upon your brand, whether they're browsing your website at 2 AM or accidentally liking your tweet from 2014. You want each of these moments to feel like getting a warm, fuzzy hug, not a cold, wet fish handshake.
"Scouring through every touchpoint, we jazzed up our brand encounters to transform customer sighs into high-fives."
Touchpoint
Think of touchpoints as every high-five, fist bump, or awkward elbow touch you share with your customers. It's every time they stumble upon your brand, whether they're browsing your website at 2 AM or accidentally liking your tweet from 2014. You want each of these moments to feel like getting a warm, fuzzy hug, not a cold, wet fish handshake.
"Scouring through every touchpoint, we jazzed up our brand encounters to transform customer sighs into high-fives."
Usability
Usability is making sure your website doesn't feel like you're trying to solve a Rubik's Cube blindfolded. It's about creating a smooth ride, so users don't need a map, a compass, and a sherpa to find what they're looking for.
"We focused so hard on usability that my grandma called to say she ordered two pairs of sneakers without asking for help. Finally!"
Usability
Usability is making sure your website doesn't feel like you're trying to solve a Rubik's Cube blindfolded. It's about creating a smooth ride, so users don't need a map, a compass, and a sherpa to find what they're looking for.
"We focused so hard on usability that my grandma called to say she ordered two pairs of sneakers without asking for help. Finally!"
Usability Heuristic
This is basically your grandma's old wisdom but for designing stuff on the internet. Usability heuristics are like those rules she had, such as 'don't wear socks with sandals' or 'eat your greens', except it's about making apps and websites less of a puzzle and more of a walk in the park.
"We dusted off the old usability heuristics book to make sure using our design felt like sliding down a rainbow, not climbing a cactus."
Usability Heuristic
This is basically your grandma's old wisdom but for designing stuff on the internet. Usability heuristics are like those rules she had, such as 'don't wear socks with sandals' or 'eat your greens', except it's about making apps and websites less of a puzzle and more of a walk in the park.
"We dusted off the old usability heuristics book to make sure using our design felt like sliding down a rainbow, not climbing a cactus."
Voice User Interface (VUI)
Ever wanted to talk to your gadgets and have them actually understand you, instead of beeping at you like a disappointed R2-D2? That's what Voice User Interfaces are for. They let you sweet-talk your devices into doing things for you, like finding the nearest taco stand or playing your favorite tunes without lifting a finger.
"Our newest app comes with a Voice User Interface, turning your ramblings into actions, making it almost as smart as your dog."
Voice User Interface (VUI)
Ever wanted to talk to your gadgets and have them actually understand you, instead of beeping at you like a disappointed R2-D2? That's what Voice User Interfaces are for. They let you sweet-talk your devices into doing things for you, like finding the nearest taco stand or playing your favorite tunes without lifting a finger.
"Our newest app comes with a Voice User Interface, turning your ramblings into actions, making it almost as smart as your dog."
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