Balancing Usability with Functionality

UX alone doesn’t create business value. Designing for users is crucial... but if it ignores the business side, even the most elegant interfaces can fail. True impact happens when UX bridges what people want and what the organization needs to succeed. This means stepping into the business model, understanding what drives growth, collaborating with stakeholders, asking tough questions, and designing within real-world constraints. Measuring outcomes and aligning with business goals is as important as crafting delightful user experiences. Empathy for users is essential... but empathy for the business is what turns your design from a concept into measurable value. Designs that balance both don’t just look good... they drive real results.

🚨 Zomato quietly moved its Search Bar… back to the top. Not long ago, Zomato experimented with placing the Search Bar at the bottom of the app. From a UX perspective, it was a bold and modern move as it was thumb-friendly, ergonomic, and aligned with Fitts’s Law. Many applauded it as a step toward mobile-first design. But today, we see it return to the top of the screen — the conventional placement most apps follow. So, why this reversal? Let’s analyse it from a PM’s lens: 🔎 1. User Mental Models vs. UX Principles ↳While bottom placement made sense ergonomically, it challenged user expectations. ↳For over a decade, users have been trained to find Search at the top. ↳Breaking this pattern created cognitive friction, even if the design was technically “better.” ↳PMs often face this paradox → optimal usability ≠ familiar usability. 📊 2. Data > Theory ↳ Zomato likely ran extensive A/B tests. If engagement on Search dipped, that’s a clear signal. ↳ Users may not have discovered the bottom bar easily or subconsciously ignored it. 🧩 3. Ecosystem & Consistency ↳ In multi-feature apps like Zomato, consistency trumps novelty. ↳If cart, profile, and filters live at the top, a lone bottom search bar may have fragmented the navigation system. ↳Sometimes, coherence across journeys drives more value than optimizing one interaction. 💡 4. What could be the takeaway from this change? This change reminds us of a core truth in product management: 👉 Good design is not just about ergonomics, but about aligning with user habits, business goals, and measurable impact. ✅ Sometimes the bravest product decision is not introducing novelty, but embracing convention because convention works. 🔥 My hot take : As PMs, we’re not in the business of chasing “cool” UX experiments alone. We’re in the business of shaping habits at scale. And that means balancing what’s easier with what feels natural. What do you think? Should PMs prioritise ergonomics and innovation or familiarity and convention when the two collide? #Zomato #UXDesign #ProductManagement #MobileUX #UserExperience #DesignThinking #ProductManager #ProductDesign #UIUX #Design 

Email design isn't just about aesthetics—it's about driving results. In today's cluttered inbox, your email needs to do more than just look good. It needs to convert subscribers into customers. Let's break down what makes a modern email template truly effective... RESPONSIVE DESIGN The majority of email opens happen on mobile devices, which means your email must look good and function seamlessly across all screen sizes. Choose templates that resize well, use fonts that are easy to read, and make buttons large enough to tap without frustration. A poor mobile experience leads to unsubscribes and missed opportunities. A SIMPLE, SCANNABLE LAYOUT Your audience isn't reading every word—they're scanning for key information. Use a single-column layout, plenty of white space, and clear section headings. Break up long blocks of text into short paragraphs or bulleted/numbered lists to make them easier to consume. Reducing cognitive load always increases conversions. A STRONG CALL-TO-ACTION Your CTA is the star of the show—it's what drives clicks and conversions. Use a button for your CTA, placed prominently above the fold and repeated at the end. Choose action-oriented language like "Shop Now" or "Get Started" –– and use size and color to direct the reader's attention. A CLEAR VISUAL HIERARCHY Good design tells the reader where to look first, second, and third. Use bold headlines, bright colors, and strategically placed images to guide the reader's eye to the most important content first. The decision between "I'll read this" and "Archive it" happens in a matter of seconds. Having a strong visual hierarchy maximizes your chances of getting read, not ignored. BALANCED AESTHETICS AND FUNCTIONALITY While beauty matters, functionality should always take precedence. After all, design awards don't pay the bills –– purchases do. Test your emails across multiple devices and email clients to make sure they're looking good and functioning properly. Creativity is great, but if it comes at the expense of functionality, you're going to regret choosing cleverness over clarity. The best email designs marry form and function to deliver outstanding results. Run every email through this checklist before you click "Publish," and you'll make sure they don't just catch the eye of subscribers, but also drive engagement and boost conversions. Need help? Drop me a comment or a DM.

Would you dare smash a beautiful pot you spent 𝟳 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 handcrafting? (founders painfully have to do exactly that with their software)   when they realize that their pot (product) is leaking, cracking… and technically unusable and that their “beautiful” V1 was never functional.   Pretty screens, zero UX backbone 🚩 and their growth leaking from the cracks (the churn, dropped sessions, angry support emails, users who never come back)   Then they call a product designer And we have to break the pot (and we know that hurts)   Because: • It can’t scale • It leaks data in the wrong places • The flows contradict user behavior • The user journey is basically a maze • The beautiful UI sits on top of zero UX • Features don't respond to each other • The system breaks when real users touch it • The product looks unified but behaves chaotic   𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘵: the hardest part for founders I’ve worked with wasn’t even the redesign or spending money on it but was detaching themselves from the thing they fell in love with (it would be the same for me)   Because founders don’t just build products. They 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘺 to them. And I reaaaaally get it   that’s why I wish more early-stage teams understood that Good design isn’t “making it pReTty or pOp” but about making products stable enough to survive   and that it’s easier to fix an ugly, functional thing than a beautiful, dysfunctional one   So here's how 𝘕𝘖𝘛 to create a pretty mess: 1. Write out your flows and see where they need to overlap 2. Think about the "what if" emergencies and design those alternative flows 3. Get feedback from users before shipping it (𝘢𝘣𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘯-𝘯𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦)   𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵: yes, most likely if the pot wasn't functional, I'd still keep it if it looked nice But can it hold soil and water? no it will only remain a decor piece   the same way, if your product isn't functional, it will end up being just a beautiful but u s e l e s s decoration   So my champs! When you build, think about the foundation and usability at the start, so no designer has to smash your baby to rebuild it the way it should’ve been built from day 1. _________________ 𝘏𝘪, 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 Elena, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯, 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭, 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘦𝘴, 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭. ⁉️Wondering where your pot may be leaking? Get a product audit here: https://lnkd.in/gC8mdh9u #UXDesign #ProductDesign #Startups #SaaS #FounderLife  

Not All Products Are Created Equal: Function, User Experience, and Brand Cohesion Creating a product that works is only part of the equation. The best products combine function, user experience, and brand identity to deliver a solution that’s effective, intuitive, and aligned with the brand. Here’s how different approaches to product design compare: 1. The Functional Product: All Function, No Experience This type of product performs its core function as intended, but without considering user interaction, it falls short. It might be uncomfortable or difficult to use, frustrating users despite its technical reliability. Key Flaw: It lacks user-centered design, which can lead to poor adoption and dissatisfaction. 2. The User-Experience-Driven Product: Great Experience, Weak Brand Cohesion These products are intuitive and enjoyable to use, but without alignment with the brand’s identity, they create a disjointed experience. A product that feels disconnected from its brand misses an opportunity to reinforce brand loyalty. Key Flaw: Delivers on user experience but fails to strengthen the brand story. 3. The Holistic Product: Where Function, Experience, and Brand Meet The best products combine function, usability, and brand identity. They not only solve a problem but also embody the brand’s values, creating a unified experience that builds loyalty. Think of Apple’s seamless blend of design, usability, and brand recognition. Key Strength: This product works well, enhances user experience, and strengthens the brand connection, fostering loyalty. Key Takeaways • Function Alone Isn’t Enough: Usability is critical for long-term success. • User Experience Without Brand Cohesion Falls Short: Great usability must reinforce the brand to maximize impact. • Holistic Design Wins: Products that combine function, user experience, and brand cohesiveness create meaningful, lasting impressions. The Bottom Line: A product must deliver on function, user experience, and brand identity to stand out in today’s market. Holistic design is what creates lasting value. #HolisticDesign #UserExperience #BrandCohesion #DesignMatters --- I'm Jonathan Thai , a seasoned Silicon Valley designer with over a decade under my belt bringing products to life. Through Hatch Duo LLC and more, I've crafted, invested, and steered ventures to the forefront of innovation. Considering a game-changing product or venture? Check out our design studio here: www.hatchduo.com Youtube: https://lnkd.in/g5VRjGzc Want to try our AI Tools? www.theflo.ai

𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘃𝘀. 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀: 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗫 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘁𝘆 Since my classic book "𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘞𝘦𝘣 𝘜𝘴𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘺," I've championed simplicity in design. Yet product teams still struggle between lean interfaces and rich feature sets. Marketing demands more capabilities while users complain about complexity. My full article on simplicity vs features https://lnkd.in/gpQQGFKB Usability studies show feature bloat causes interface failures through: ⏱️ Increased task completion time - Users waste time navigating convoluted pathways ❌ Higher error rates - Complexity breeds mistakes and lost data 😤 Reduced satisfaction - Frustration damages brand perception 🚪 Product abandonment - Users quit when effort exceeds benefits Complexity grows combinatorially, not linearly. Ten features create 45+ potential interactions, not ten units of complexity. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 Product managers wrongly assume more features equal higher value. Features users can't find provide zero value while imposing complexity costs. 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘁𝘆 🔽 Progressive Disclosure: Show only what's needed when needed. Present primary functions immediately, hide advanced features in secondary interfaces. ⚙️ Sensible Defaults: Choose settings that work for most users most of the time. 🎯 Contextual Controls: Display only task-relevant actions. Text selection shows copy/paste; image selection reveals editing tools. 📁 Systematic Organization: Group related features using Gestalt principles so users can efficiently scan or bypass entire sections. 🧪 User Testing: Validate features empirically before development. Ask: Does this solve real problems? Can users find and understand it? Does value justify complexity? Testing cuts through assumptions—if users struggle, abandon the feature. 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁 Sophisticated UX design means knowing what to exclude. Every feature taxes your entire interface. Successful products help users accomplish goals with minimal friction. Simplicity isn't absence of capability; it's presence of clarity.

When working on new features, designers often focus purely on usability. However, usability is only one part of launching something successful. Users may never use a well-designed feature if it’s: - A feature they don’t need. - A feature you aren’t communicating well. - A feature that is completely hidden in your product. - A feature you have to kill because it doesn't make business sense. Now, assuming you have a feature that people need... In designing and launching it, try incorporating the following concepts into your thinking: 1. How do users hear about it? 2. How do users discover it? 3. How easy or difficult is it to use? 4. Does it achieve the desired outcome? 5. How does it affect key business metrics? To drive effective communication, work with your product marketing, customer success, or CRM team to inform users about the upcoming launch: - What is the name of the feature? - Is it useful to all users or only a specific subset? - What are the benefits, and how do we show them on our emails/website? To drive discoverability, think of the use case and how it fits within the existing workflow of your users: - What updates do you need to make on your navigation? - What kind of signposting do you need to do with UI elements? - Do you need to do any interlinking with existing features? To measure usability, pick the most appropriate testing method depending on how much time/capacity you have: - Pre-launch, try testing it with a prototype. - Post-launch, use a combination of user tests and in-app surveys. To measure the impact: - Make sure your data tracking events are set up. - Set up a report/dashboard that you can check on a weekly basis. - Work with your data team to calculate projected retention and LTV. — If you found this post helpful, consider reposting ♻️ #productdesign #uxdesign #uiux

Less is more, until less becomes...well, less useful! Sometimes, making things simpler can actually make them harder to use. If you ever have to choose between making something super simple and making sure it's usable, always prioritize usability. Confusing interfaces or misleading information can frustrate users and make them lose trust. A perfect example is my new smart TV remote. It looks sleek with just a few buttons, but my parents can't figure it out! The old one had clear buttons for volume, channels, and menus. The new one makes you navigate through menus on the screen, which isn't as straightforward. Don't sacrifice getting things right for the sake of making something super simple. Users need to be able to achieve their goals quickly and easily. Another example, instead of simply trying to reduce the number of clicks to complete a task (like adding an item to a shopping cart), focus on the goals behind that action. What information do they need to feel confident? What steps are truly essential for a smooth process? Of course, simplicity should still be a goal but find that sweet spot where usability and ease of use coexist. Strip away the excess, but leave the essence. That's true simplicity! #productdesign #humancentereddesign #UX 

I've been exploring how design impacts usability, especially Don Norman's book on Design of Everyday Things really does make an impact. On the same light, HubSpot's onboarding process stands out as a prime example. HubSpot's Onboarding Excellence: - Personalized Setup: Right after sign-up, HubSpot guides users through a tailored setup process, asking about their business needs to customize the dashboard accordingly. - Interactive Tutorials: The platform offers step-by-step tutorials that walk users through key features, ensuring they can navigate the tools effectively. - Resource Accessibility: HubSpot provides easily accessible resources, like help documents and videos, directly within the interface, allowing users to find answers without leaving the platform. Aligning with Don Norman's Principles: - Visibility: Essential functions are prominently displayed, reducing the learning curve for new users. - Feedback: Immediate responses to user actions, such as confirmation messages after completing a task, keep users informed and engaged. - Consistency: Uniform design elements and terminology throughout the platform help users build familiarity and confidence. HubSpot's approach demonstrates that thoughtful design enhances usability, leading to a more intuitive and satisfying user experience. How have you seen design and usability balanced in products you've used or developed?