Essentials of UI Design XXXX: How to Structure Effective UI Flows
The success of a digital product is linked to the UX architecture which informs its user interface design decisions. UX architects are crucial participants in every design process, so this article discusses user flows which is a critical piece in user engagement and retention.
What is a User Flow?
A user flow is a diagram showing how users move through a digital product (website or mobile app) to achieve a goal. It’s essentially a map that lets you see the steps they take to do something specific. These maps are useful in determining how you organize the information.
There are various approaches to creating a user flow, but there are a few notes that apply generally:
Early stages: Design teams often create user flows before creating their UI wireframes. Preliminary user flow diagrams may take the form of a chart with shapes that have universal meanings.
Rectangles: Notes
Diamonds: Decision
Circles: Entry points
Arrows: User navigation
Squares: Sometimes applied to notes
Wireframes: After creating wireframes of the product screens, the designers often replace the rectangles in the user flow with these wireframes. This combination of user flows and wireframes is sometimes known as a “wireflow.”
Prototypes: Depending on the design environment, user flows may persist until the prototype stage, swapping out rough sketches with the actual screens of the prototype. In some cases, teams may create a user flow to make an existing product or feature better after analysis with tools such as Google Analytics.
Best Practices for Designing Effective User Flow Diagrams
There are proven ways to approach the design of user flow diagrams. Here are best practices to create clear and coherent user flows:
Use descriptive names
It’s best to use descriptive, straightforward names to your user flow. Such names should describe the purpose of the user flow. This helps to break down your flow into manageable parts.
Make flows one-directional
You prevent chaos and confusion when lines and arrows flow linearly without back-and-forth movement for a single action.
Each flow should have one goal
This maintains focus and clarity for users. Each flow should focus on completing one specific task.
Always include a legend key
A legend key makes it easier to understand your user flow diagram.
Decide on an entry point
Whether it’s a login screen or homepage, a clear entry point should be available.
Use clear labels
Icon labels should be concise in your user flow diagram.
Use colors purposefully
Color-coding your user flows enables readers to quickly understand your diagram.
Provide a clear resolution
It’s advisable to use complete user flows with clear resolutions. Where a user needs an extra screen, you may map it out as an alternative path. This removes ambiguity and helps to identify potential errors or friction.
Conclusion
Defining your user flow early creates a solid foundation for the final product prototype. If you need to add more screens to your user flow, it’s possible and can help to improve the overall user experience. For robust inspiration screens from trendy mobile apps and websites, check out UIland to access more than 150,000 screens and user flows.
