Whitespace is an effective principle to achieve a balanced design, making it easier for your users to scan and read. Consider using a consistent spacing system and the proximity principle to achieve a balanced use of whitespace.

While completing a form isn’t usually a particularly fun task for a user, it is often a necessary step of a process. For example, a user might be asked to fill out a short form with payment details to buy an item or they might have to complete a form as part of a job application.

Example page (landing page)Innovation, training and toolsURL: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/tools-and-laboratories_en (may have been updated since May 2023)On the basis of our open data principles we publish tools and databases. The tools and databases are categorised by name and acronym.LaboratoriesThe JRC maintains a wide range of l…

Prompt engineering is the process of creating effective prompts for artificial intelligence (AI) systems. A prompt in AI is a specific instruction or input given to an AI system to elicit a desired response or output. Effective prompt engineering results in good communication between the user and the AI system, where the user guides the AI systems

AI is accelerating change. Companies are reacting by “doing AI”without prioritizing the experience of the people on the receiving end–Design is more important than ever. To respond, we must get smart, fast. This starts with understanding the emerging patterns of interaction, affordances, and heuristics in an AI world. The pages below are summaries

The dual prompting approach in AI-driven UX design distinguishes between exploratory and detail-refining phases. Alternating these prompt styles can optimize your UX strategies and harness AI's potential for innovation and precision. Use both zero-shot and few-shot prompting for greater breadth and depth in creative problem-solving.

A good contract is key to starting a client project off successfully. It sets the right expectations and prevents misunderstandings and, ultimately, potential legal problems. Let’s take a closer look at how to create legal documents that protect everyone’s interests, as well as handy templates and frameworks you can use right away.

UI components and design patterns, from dashboards and design systems to data visualization and presentation decks — all in one single post.

"Collaborative Doctoral Partnership (CDP) programme" section, copy written and maintained in cooperation with the JRC programme manager for the CDP.

"Facts4EUFuture" section, copy written for a campaign to promote a series of 11 reports 2018-2019 to inform the incoming EC presidency on upcoming trends. After relaunch of the Science Hub in 2022, the initial landing pages have been replaced with direct links to the "JRC Publications Repository".

People often remember visuals better than words. Designers can leverage the picture-superiority effect to make their products memorable and learnable.

Scrolling, scanning, skipping: How do users consume content online? Here’s what you need to know about reading behavior and design strategies to prevent harmful scanning patterns.

"Working with us" section, copy written in January/February 2023 in cooperation with JRC HR colleagues.

About page, copy written in March 2023 based on JRC documents: - Revitalising the JRC Strategy 2030; - JRC strategy 2030; - JRC work programme 2023 - 2024: Brochure; - JRC Work Programme 2023 -2024: Factsheets; - JRC portfolio cards

Most calculator and quiz tools provide at least one or more of the following services: converting inputs, predicting the future, or providing recommendations.

Calculators and quizzes provide personalized information. Users approach these tools with an exploratory mindset and appreciate them while making decisions.

To prevent failure and make our designs more resilient, we need to explore edge cases and exceptions already during the design process. Let’s take a closer look at what to watch out for.

Good redesigns are evolutions, not revolutions. Useful guidelines on when and how to redesign, how to avoid pitfalls and how to help users embrace the new design.

Undoubtedly there are major advantages of live validation in forms. Most importantly, if an input expects a particular type of content, we can flag issues immediately, so users can fix these issues rather than operating under a wrong assumption.

When deciding between native and web-based mobile apps, crucial considerations arise that impact long-term success.

Userfocus User Experience ConsultantsHomeUX consultancyUX trainingArticlesAbout Us Is Consumer Research Losing Its Focus? Focus groups continually fail to tell us what customers want. The fundamental problem is that, in spite of what conventional wisdom tells us, it is not the voice of the consumer that matters. What matters is the mind of the c…

People new to user research often think of surveys and focus groups as the main ways to get insights into customer needs. Here are 60 alternative ideas you might want to try.

UX strategy is a plan of action that allows the organization to reach a higher state of user experience over a certain period of time. It lies at the intersection of product design and business strategy and serves as a guide for prioritizing and executing UX work over time.

The differences between responsive and adaptive design approaches spotlight important options for us as web and app designers. Choosing with insight can empower you to plan and execute your designs with better aim, purpose and results.

What does research look like in a content design context? Where does it fit in in the content design process? Who does the research and who’s responsible for sharing the research findings? Which format is the best for sharing content design research findings? When do you know you’ve done “enough research” and can get to work?

The content - not the beautiful scroll animations - is the thing people use your product for. It is not lesser than. It is not an afterthought. It even has its own set of roles (content design, UX writing, information architecture, etc). The content is the scaffolding of the experience. When you minimize it, it is only to your own detriment.

What does it mean to design for neurodiversity? We look at steps we can take to make content more accessible to more people.

Guardian article: A study from the University of Valencia found that print reading could boost skills by six to eight times more than digital reading

Design System In 90 Days Canvas (FigJam template), with useful prompts to get a design system up and running — and adopted! — in 90 days, for small and large organizations that are building a design system or plan to set up one. Kindly shared by Dan Mall as a part of the Design System University. (shared by Vitaly Friedman, LinkedIn)

Will AI turn our brains to mush? History suggests otherwise. From writing to calculators to spell check, new tech has always sparked fears of cognitive decline. But AI, like previous innovations, will free our minds for deeper thinking. Embrace AI as a forklift for the mind. AI won't make us stupid — it’ll make us smarter.