You've finished your user research. You understand your users' needs. You're ready to design. So naturally, your next step is to open Figma and start sketching wireframes, right? Wrong. If you jump straight into wireframing, you've skipped the most critical step in the design process — one that separates intuitive products from confusing ones. You've skipped designing your conceptual model. What Is a Conceptual Model? Think about it this way: When someone says "I know how to use Photoshop," they're not talking about where the buttons are. They're referring to something deeper — an understanding of what Photoshop is and how it works. A conceptual model is a high-level description of how your system is organized and what users can do with it. It's the structure that sits between user research and interface design — the blueprint that defines what your product is before you decide what it looks like . Here's what it includes: Core objects ...

Ever clicked a button and wondered if anything actually happened? Or got stuck in an app with no idea how to get back? You're not experiencing bad luck — you're experiencing bad design. Back in 1994, usability expert Jakob Nielsen figured out something important: most interface problems follow patterns. He identified 10 principles that separate frustrating designs from delightful ones. These aren't just academic theories — companies like Apple, Google, and Adobe have been using them to build products that millions of people love. Let's break down these 10 rules in plain English. 1. Visibility of System Status Keep users informed about what the system is doing, right now. Think about the last time you ordered food delivery. That little map showing your driver's location? That's this principle in action. When you click "submit" on a form, you need to know: Did it work? Is it processing? Did something break? Quick wins: Change button colors when they'...