Great product design is

3D style illustration of a person sitting on a surface, with shapes like spheres, cubes, and columns around them

Functional

Works to serve its purpose

Usable

Accessible and easy to use

Desirable

Users are drawn to the product

5 principles of design

1. Clarity first

Design should communicate information and actions clearly, ensuring users can easily understand and navigate without confusion or ambiguity.

IA rewok collab with Content

Personas and user research

Documentation

Strategy

2. Cohesion across experiences

Maintain consistency in visuals, interactions, and patterns across the product to create a seamless and unified experience that feels familiar and reliable.

Screenshot of Admin navigation alternatives at different viewport sizes

Responsive guidance

Systems

Illustration of rock under a building as a metaphor for building on shaky ground

Build strong foundations

3. Empathy for users

Prioritize understanding the needs, behaviors, and emotions of users to design solutions that genuinely address their pain points and aspirations.

Implementing usability feedback

Influencing strategy through research

Generative research

Heuristics and friction analysis

4. Inclusive design

Create experiences that are accessible and adaptable, considering the diverse needs of users across abilities, demographics, and geographies.

Internationalization

Person viewing an old record using a mobile version of the Archives.com image viewer

Accessible

Bring in multiple different voices

5. Delight in details

Incorporate thoughtful touches like smooth interactions, refined visuals, or helpful micro-interactions to elevate the experience and leave a lasting positive impression.