I’ve overdesigned before — here’s what I’ve learned about doing less

Tesler's Law, or the law of conservation of complexity, posits that a system's inherent complexity cannot be removed, only shifted, and oversimplifying can detract from user experience. Overdesign in user experience (UX) often occurs when aesthetics are prioritized over usability or when "best practices" are applied without context, such as unnecessary hamburger menus that hide critical navigation items, causing friction and frustration. Whiplash layouts, which oppose the reading direction, can also detract from usability by prioritizing visual impact over user understanding. To avoid these pitfalls, it's crucial to engage in thorough UX research, including A/B testing, and focus on fundamentals like clear reading directions and accessible design elements such as color contrast and typography. Ultimately, UX designers should balance aesthetics with functionality, ensuring that each design element serves a clear purpose and enhances usability rather than detracting from it.