System Design Principles
Jakob's Law
Users expect your site to work like others they already know.
Takeaways
- 1
Conventional layouts reduce learning time.
- 2
Novel patterns need a strong reason and extra guidance.
- 3
Major redesigns should allow gradual adoption when possible.
Origins
Users build expectations from thousands of hours spent in other products. When your interface breaks familiar patterns, they must spend energy learning a new model before they can accomplish their goal.
Innovation works best when it improves outcomes without forcing users to relearn basics.
Design Applications
- Place navigation, search, and account actions where users expect them.
- Reuse established form and table conventions.
- Introduce redesigns with preview or rollback options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Jakob's Law?
Users expect your site to work like others they already know.
How do you apply Jakob's Law in UI design?
Place navigation, search, and account actions where users expect them. Reuse established form and table conventions. Introduce redesigns with preview or rollback options.
Why does Jakob's Law matter for user experience?
Conventional layouts reduce learning time. Novel patterns need a strong reason and extra guidance. Major redesigns should allow gradual adoption when possible.
