# UX Design > User experience design principles. Use when designing user flows, improving usability, conducting UX reviews, and optimizing user journeys. Use when this capability is needed. - Skill: `tomevault-io/ux-design-2` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/ux-design-2` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/ux-design-2/raw - Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS) - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/ux-design-2 --- # UX Design Skill User experience principles for creating intuitive, user-centered interfaces. ## When to Use This Skill - Designing user flows - Improving usability - Conducting UX audits - Reducing friction points - Enhancing user journeys --- # 🎯 UX Principles ## Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics 1. **Visibility of system status** - Show loading indicators - Confirm actions completed - Display progress for long operations 2. **Match between system and real world** - Use familiar language - Follow real-world conventions - Avoid technical jargon 3. **User control and freedom** - Provide undo/redo - Allow cancel actions - Easy navigation back 4. **Consistency and standards** - Follow platform conventions - Consistent button styles - Predictable behavior 5. **Error prevention** - Validate before submit - Confirmation for destructive actions - Smart defaults 6. **Recognition rather than recall** - Show options visibly - Provide context and hints - Recent items/history 7. **Flexibility and efficiency** - Keyboard shortcuts - Customizable workflows - Expert shortcuts 8. **Aesthetic and minimalist design** - Remove unnecessary elements - Focus on essential content - White space usage 9. **Help users recognize and recover from errors** - Clear error messages - Suggest solutions - Don't blame the user 10. **Help and documentation** - Easy to search - Context-sensitive help - Task-oriented --- # 🔄 User Flow Design ## Flow Structure ``` Entry Point → Task Steps → Confirmation → Success State ↓ Error Handling → Recovery Path ``` ## Sign Up Flow Example ``` Landing Page ↓ Email Input → Validation ↓ Password Create → Strength Check ↓ Profile Setup (Optional) → Skip Option ↓ Welcome / Onboarding ↓ Main Dashboard ``` ## Reduce Steps ``` ❌ Bad: 5+ step registration Email → Password → Name → Phone → Address → Verify ✅ Good: Progressive disclosure Email + Password → Verify → (Collect more later) ``` --- # 📝 Forms UX ## Best Practices ```tsx // ✅ Good: Clear labels, inline validation
{error && {error}}
``` ## Form Guidelines | Do | Don't | |----|-------| | Use single column | Multiple columns on mobile | | Show password toggle | Force complex requirements | | Inline validation | Validate only on submit | | Smart defaults | Make user choose everything | | Save progress | Lose data on navigation | | Show required fields | Hide what's optional | ## Error Messages ``` ❌ Bad: "Invalid input" ✅ Good: "Please enter a valid email address (e.g., name@example.com)" ❌ Bad: "Error 500" ✅ Good: "Unable to save. Please try again or contact support." ``` --- # ⚡ Reduce Friction ## Friction Points | Friction | Solution | |----------|----------| | Too many clicks | Reduce steps, shortcuts | | Waiting | Skeleton loading, optimistic UI | | Confusion | Clear labels, tooltips | | Errors | Validation, auto-correct | | Decision fatigue | Smart defaults, recommendations | ## Optimistic UI ```tsx // Show success immediately, rollback if fails function handleLike() { setLiked(true); // Instant feedback api.like(postId).catch(() => { setLiked(false); // Rollback on error toast.error('Failed to like'); }); } ``` --- # 📱 Mobile UX ## Touch Targets - Minimum: 44x44px - Comfortable: 48x48px - Spacing between targets: 8px+ ## Thumb Zone ``` ┌────────────────────┐ │ Hard to reach │ ← Move important actions down │ │ │ Natural reach │ ← Primary navigation here │ │ │ Easy access │ ← Main CTAs, bottom nav └────────────────────┘ ``` ## Mobile Patterns - Bottom navigation (5 items max) - Pull to refresh - Swipe actions - Floating action button - Modal sheets from bottom --- # 🔔 Feedback & States ## Every Action Needs Feedback ``` Click button → Visual press state Submit form → Loading indicator Success → Confirmation message Error → Clear error + solution Empty state → Helpful guidance ``` ## State Hierarchy ``` 1. Empty → "No items yet. Create your first..." 2. Loading → Skeleton or spinner 3. Error → Error message + retry 4. Partial → Show what's available 5. Success → Full content ``` --- # 🧭 Navigation ## Navigation Types | Type | Use Case | |------|----------| | Top nav | Marketing sites, simple apps | | Side nav | Dashboards, complex apps | | Bottom nav | Mobile apps (5 items max) | | Breadcrumbs | Deep hierarchies | | Tabs | Related content sections | ## Navigation Guidelines - Current location always visible - Back button works as expected - Consistent across app - Maximum 7±2 items per level - Search for large sites --- # ♿ Accessibility (a11y) ## Quick Checklist - [ ] Keyboard navigation works - [ ] Focus states visible - [ ] Color contrast 4.5:1+ - [ ] Alt text on images - [ ] Form labels linked - [ ] Error messages announced - [ ] Touch targets 44px+ - [ ] No motion for vestibular issues --- # 📚 UX Resources - [Nielsen Norman Group](https://www.nngroup.com/) - [Laws of UX](https://lawsofux.com/) - [ibelick/ui-skills](https://github.com/ibelick/ui-skills) - [nextlevelbuilder/ui-ux-pro-max-skill](https://github.com/nextlevelbuilder/ui-ux-pro-max-skill) --- > Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/aiyuekuang) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.