5 Laws of UX design: why every element in our design has a purpose

Miller’s Laws of UX design – why simplicity works

Miller’s Law, a key principle in the Laws of UX Design, says the average person can hold about 7 items (give or take 2) in their working memory at a time. Simply put, there’s only so much information people can process before it becomes overwhelming.

This concept is essential to good design. By keeping things simple, we help users focus and interact without feeling overloaded. Instead of bombarding them with endless options or elements, we break information into smaller, manageable chunks.

How to use Miller’s Law in UX design:

• Navigation menus: Stick to 5-7 items to keep navigation clear and stress-free.
• Content layout: Use bullet points, headings, and short paragraphs to make information easy to skim.
• Forms: Break long forms into steps or sections to reduce intimidation.

Take website navigation as an example. Fewer menu options allow users to quickly decide where to go, reducing their mental effort—also known as cognitive load. This aligns perfectly with the Laws of UX Design, which emphasize creating user-friendly experiences by respecting how much attention and memory users can realistically handle.

The takeaway? Simplicity isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about designing with your users’ cognitive limits in mind.

Fitt’s Law: make actions easier and quicker

Fitt’s Law, one of the key Laws of UX Design, explains that how long it takes to interact with a target—like a button or link—depends on its size and how far away it is. Simply put: the bigger and closer something is, the faster people can click or tap on it.

As designers, we rely on Fitt’s Law to make your website or app feel easy and intuitive to use.

How does Fitt’s Law fit into UX design?

• Make important buttons bigger: actions like “Buy Now,” “Sign Up,” or “Submit” should stand out and be easy to click. Tiny buttons? They just frustrate people.
• Keep related elements close: place commonly used buttons or links near where users naturally interact (like thumbs on a mobile screen) to speed things up.
• Skip the tiny targets: small icons or links—especially on mobile—are tough to tap. Either make them bigger or add a tap-friendly area around them.

A real-life example

Take mobile apps like Instagram or Facebook. The “like” and “comment” buttons are big enough and sit where your thumbs naturally land, making it super quick and easy to interact.

At Studio Ubique, we design with Fitt’s Law and other Laws of UX Design in mind to create websites and apps that feel smooth and effortless to use. No one wants to waste time struggling to hit a button—so we make sure they don’t have to.

Jakob’s Law: meeting user expectations

Jakob’s Law is simple: users spend most of their time on other websites, so they expect yours to work the same way. People rely on familiar patterns—if your site feels too “different,” they’ll get frustrated or confused.

Why Jakob’s Law matters in the Laws of UX Design

• Familiarity makes things easy: people expect navigation menus at the top, logos that link to the homepage, and “Add to Cart” buttons that look a certain way. Stick to these familiar patterns so users don’t have to figure out how your site works.
• Consistency builds trust: when your website feels like ones users already know, it comes across as reliable and professional. This keeps visitors from bouncing off.
• Save creativity for the fun stuff: be creative with visuals and content, but keep the basics—like navigation, search bars, and calls to action—predictable and familiar.

Real-life example

eCommerce sites nail Jakob’s Law. Product pages usually have:

• Images on the left
• Descriptions, prices, and “Add to Cart” buttons on the right
• A checkout process that’s simple and straightforward

 
Why? Because it works—and it’s exactly what users expect. Jakob’s Law is one of the key principles in the Laws of UX Design. At Studio Ubique, we design sites that look unique but stick to patterns people know and trust. That way, your site stays easy to use while still standing out.

Law of Proximity: grouping for clarity

The Law of Proximity is key in the Laws of UX Design and focuses on how we perceive relationships between elements. When items are placed close together, we naturally see them as related. When they’re farther apart, we assume they’re unrelated. It’s a simple yet powerful principle: grouping things visually helps clarify their relationships.

Why Proximity matters in UX design

• Makes things easier to read: grouping buttons, text, or images into clear sections helps users instantly see what belongs together.
• Simplifies decisions: users don’t have to guess what’s connected. For example, grouping a product image, title, and “Add to Cart” button makes it clear they go together.
• Reduces clutter: good spacing keeps things from feeling messy, making it easier for users to navigate.

How we use Proximity in design

Here are some ways the Law of Proximity, a fundamental part of the Laws of UX Design, helps create great designs:

1. Forms: labels go right above the input fields so it’s obvious where to type.
2. Menus: related items are grouped together so users can quickly find what they need.
3. Buttons and actions: calls-to-action (like “Sign Up”) are placed close to the content they relate to, such as a special offer.

A simple example

Think of an online checkout page. The “Billing Information” section is grouped separately from “Shipping Information” and “Order Summary.” This layout guides the user step by step and keeps things clear.

At Studio Ubique, we’re all about organizing elements in ways that make sense and look great. Good spacing isn’t just about clean design—it’s about creating a smoother, better experience for the user.

Occam’s Razor: keep it simple

Occam’s Razor isn’t an actual tool, but for designers, it might as well be. The idea is simple: The easiest solution is usually the best one. In UX design, this means cutting out unnecessary complexity and focusing on what really matters to the user—a key principle within the Laws of UX Design.

Why simplicity matters

• Less mental work: users shouldn’t have to overthink to navigate your design. Keeping things simple helps them stay focused.
• Faster actions: a clean, uncluttered interface makes it easier and quicker for users to find what they need.
• Better experience overall: simplicity means less frustration. No one likes designs that drown them in unnecessary details.

How we use Occam’s Razor in UX

Here’s how we put this principle into action to streamline designs:

1. Cutting the clutter: we ditch anything that doesn’t add value—whether it’s extra text, buttons, or visuals.
2. Highlighting what matters: by emphasizing key elements (like CTAs), we guide users straight to what they need.
3. Simplifying navigation: fewer choices, cleaner menus. Users can glide through the interface without overthinking.
4. Streamlining forms: only ask for the basics. Nobody wants to fill out 15 fields when 3 will do the trick.

A real-world example

Think about Google’s homepage: just a search bar and two buttons. It’s not flashy, but it gives users exactly what they need—a quick, straightforward search experience that aligns perfectly with the Laws of UX Design.

At Studio Ubique, simplicity is at the heart of what we do. By following Occam’s Razor, we design experiences that are clear, functional, and focused on your users’ goals—without the fluff.

Wrap-up: smart design backed by the Laws of UX Design

Great design isn’t just about looking good—it’s about working effortlessly. The Laws of UX Design guide every choice we make to create functional, intuitive, and user-friendly experiences. From simplifying decisions with Miller’s Law to ensuring smooth interactions with Fitt’s Law or creating familiarity with Jakob’s Law, these principles help us craft designs that align with how people think and behave.

At Studio Ubique, we don’t just focus on aesthetics; we use proven UX principles to deliver seamless, frustration-free experiences that drive action and engagement.
 

Let’s create something that works

 
Wondering how the Laws of UX Design can improve your website or app? Book a no-pressure, 30-minute video call with us. Let’s discuss your project and explore how applying the Laws of UX Design can make all the difference in creating a user-friendly experience. Book your video call here.