Design is part art, part science and along the way, a lot of myths and misconceptions have developed. Some of these myths can lead to poor usability, inaccessible interfaces, or wasted development effort.
This guide explores common design myths, explains why they’re misleading, and gives practical tips and best practices for designers and developers.
Myth 1: “Users Read Every Word”
Reality: Users scan content, they don’t read line by line.
Why it’s a myth: Many designers focus on long paragraphs of text, thinking users will read everything. Studies show users scan headlines, bullet points, and key phrases instead.
Best Practice:
- Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points.
- Highlight important content with bold or color (but not relying on color alone).
- Keep paragraphs short and scannable.
Myth 2: “More Features Make Your App Better”
Reality: Adding unnecessary features often confuses users.
Why it’s a myth: Designers sometimes think more options means more value. In reality, cluttered interfaces frustrate users.
Best Practice:
- Prioritize features based on user needs.
- Apply minimalism every element should serve a purpose.
- Use progressive disclosure for advanced options.
Myth 3: “Good Design is Just About Looking Pretty”
Reality: Design is functionality + aesthetics.
Why it’s a myth: Attractive visuals are only part of the equation. A visually stunning interface with poor usability can drive users away.
Best Practice:
- Prioritize accessibility and usability alongside aesthetics.
- Test layouts for readability, contrast, and navigation.
- Consider diverse user needs, devices, and screen sizes.
Myth 4: “Users Will Figure It Out”
Reality: Users often don’t figure it out.
Why it’s a myth: Designers may assume users can infer interactions or hidden features. Many won’t, especially those using assistive technology.
Best Practice:
- Provide clear visual cues for clickable elements.
- Avoid relying on hover-only interactions.
- Use descriptive labels for buttons and links.
Myth 5: “Accessibility Ruins Design”
Reality: Accessibility enhances design.
Why it’s a myth: Some designers worry accessible interfaces look plain or boring. In truth, accessibility improves readability, usability, and user satisfaction for everyone.
Best Practice:
- Follow WCAG guidelines for color contrast, keyboard navigation, and readable text.
- Use semantic HTML and ARIA roles.
- Test with screen readers and diverse users.
Myth 6: “Users Don’t Care About Speed”
Reality: Users abandon slow websites quickly.
Why it’s a myth: Designers may focus on visuals over performance. Slow-loading sites frustrate users and reduce engagement.
Best Practice:
- Optimize images, scripts, and CSS.
- Use lazy loading for non-critical assets.
- Measure performance with tools like Lighthouse or WebPageTest.
Myth 7: “Mobile Design Can Be Just a Shrunk Version of Desktop”
Reality: Mobile users have different needs than desktop users.
Why it’s a myth: Simply shrinking a website often breaks usability buttons become too small, layouts collapse, and touch targets shrink.
Best Practice:
- Design mobile-first or responsive layouts.
- Prioritize touch-friendly interactions.
- Consider context: mobile users often have less time and smaller screens.
What we need to remember
- Design is about clarity, usability, and accessibility, not just visuals.
- Keep user needs central – features, content, and interactions should serve real goals.
- Test, iterate, and measure – assumptions can be misleading; user testing is essential.
- Accessibility is not optional – it improves UX for everyone.
- Performance and simplicity matter – cluttered or slow designs frustrate users.
Conclusion
Debunking design myths helps create more effective, usable, and inclusive interfaces.
Good design isn’t about following rules blindly it’s about understanding users, combining aesthetics with function, and continuously testing assumptions