Empathy

A type of understanding that is achieved by taking the perspective of another individual. Different people's perspectives often have different needs and values, so empathy can help you understand those differences.

More terms you might want to know

Legibility

How well or poorly something can be read.

Widow

The last line of a paragraph following the rest, or a single line in a paragraph that is out of place with the rest.

Card Sorting

A UX design technique in which you divide your users into groups, show them cards with different names for unrelated objects and ask them to categorise them.

Load More Scrolling

A design technique employed on websites and mobile apps that encourages users to scroll to view additional content.

Display Typface

Typefaces that are used across large bodies of text like headlines. Text typefaces are generally more varied than body-text typefaces.

Margin

The space that an item has around it.

Flat Design

A design style first introduced by Microsoft Design Language based on minimalism and simplicity. This newer trend focuses on reducing nonsensical designs and makes the content more accessible for all users.

In this way of designing, fewer elements are used to create shapes and less emphasis on gradients and textures. This modern trend moves away from skeuomorphism. Instead, it focuses on a realistic view or illustration with buttons and icons appearing flat with no shadows.

Prototype

Usually the first functional form of a new product, created to test a concept or prove out some aspects of design.

Mood board

A collage consisting of images, colours and text that is assembled to convey an idea or theme.

Lean UX

A philosophy that companies should take a user-centred approach to design, making sure they focus on the customer's needs and not on their company's needs. UX designers need to figure out what users want before building something and not after. They must also ask themselves if including "features" will provide any value to the product or service.

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