# ux360.design > Easy-to-understand articles on the principles of design, UX foundations, and the tools designers actually use. Written by Shirish Shikhrakar, a UX engineer in Kathmandu. Independent publication, 55 articles since 2019, plus a free six-lesson UX foundation course. All content is written by Shirish Raj Shikhrakar, a UX engineer and Google-certified UX designer in Kathmandu, Nepal. How to cite: "ux360.design" or "Shirish Shikhrakar, ux360.design". Canonical URLs are listed below; every article is free to read with no paywall or login. A plain-text version of every article is at https://ux360.design/llms-full.txt. Key facts: - Site: https://ux360.design - Author: Shirish Raj Shikhrakar (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sshikhrakar/, https://dribbble.com/sshikhrakar) - Topics: elements and principles of design, Gestalt principles, cognitive biases in UX, usability, UX research, design tools (Figma, Sketch) - Formerly published as bestDesignTrend (2019) - Contact: https://ux360.design/contact/ ## Free course: From UI to UX (one week, six lessons) - [Lesson 1: UI vs UX: Why Pretty Screens Don’t Guarantee Happy Users](https://ux360.design/courses/ux-foundation-course/lessons/lesson-1-ui-vs-ux-why-pretty-screens-dont-guarantee-happy-users/): Why a clean, well-animated interface can still fail its users. What UI design covers, what UX design actually encompasses, and the expensive lesson a food delivery app taught me. - [Lesson 2: The UX Designer’s Mindset: Thinking Beyond Pixels](https://ux360.design/courses/ux-foundation-course/lessons/lesson-2-the-ux-designers-mindset-thinking-beyond-pixels/): The shift from decorating screens to solving problems. How UX designers think about users, context, and outcomes, and the moment I realised my beautiful interface was answering the wrong question. - [Lesson 3: Why Assumptions Kill Products](https://ux360.design/courses/ux-foundation-course/lessons/lesson-3-why-assumptions-kill-products/): Every designer fills gaps with assumptions. This lesson shows how those assumptions quietly kill products, how to spot them, and the research habits that replace guessing with evidence. - [Lesson 4: Creating Your First User Persona The Right Way](https://ux360.design/courses/ux-foundation-course/lessons/lesson-4-creating-your-first-user-persona-the-right-way/): Most personas are fiction dressed up as research. Learn how to build a persona from real behaviour, goals, and frustrations so it actually changes design decisions. - [Lesson 5: Customer Journey Mapping: Seeing the Complete Experience](https://ux360.design/courses/ux-foundation-course/lessons/lesson-5-customer-journey-mapping-seeing-the-complete-experience/): Customer journey mapping explained step by step: stages, actions, thoughts, emotions, and pain points, so you can see the complete experience instead of a single screen. - [Lesson 6: Data-Driven Customer Journey: Backing Decisions with Evidence](https://ux360.design/courses/ux-foundation-course/lessons/lesson-6-data-driven-customer-journey-backing-decisions-with-evidence/): How to back a journey map with analytics, support tickets, and research data. Turn opinions into evidence and make design decisions your stakeholders can trust. - [Course overview](https://ux360.design/courses/ux-foundation-course/) ## Design Fundamentals The elements and principles of design, one at a time, with real interfaces as examples. Balance, contrast, emphasis, hierarchy, white space, Gestalt and more. - [White space in Design](https://ux360.design/white-space-design/): White space is the empty space in a design. It is also known as negative space. - [Emphasis Principle of Design](https://ux360.design/emphasis-design/): Emphasis is how you pull the eye to one part of a composition. Learn the techniques (contrast, isolation, placement, scale) with real UI and poster examples. - [Movement Principle of Design](https://ux360.design/movement-design/): Movement guides the viewer's eye along a path through a composition. Learn the techniques, from lines and repetition to actual motion, with examples from real designs. - [Balance Principle of Design [Infographics Included]](https://ux360.design/balance-design/): Symmetrical, asymmetrical and radial balance explained. How visual weight works and how to check whether a design feels balanced. Free infographic PDF included. - [Variety Principle of Design](https://ux360.design/variety-design/): Variety breaks monotony and creates visual interest. What it means, how it balances against unity, and how to add it with shape, color, size and texture. - [Unity Principle of Design [Infographics Included]](https://ux360.design/unity-design/): Unity ties every element of a composition together. Learn the methods that create it (proximity, repetition, alignment, continuation) with examples and a free infographic. - [Proportion Principle of design](https://ux360.design/proportion-design/): What proportion means in design, how size and visual weight relate, and how to use scale to guide attention. Clear examples from apps, posters and architecture. - [Point in design](https://ux360.design/point-design-element/): The point is the first element of design. What a point is, how points create focus, lines and patterns, and examples from typography, layout and art. - [Texture In Design: Types & Importance [Infographics Included]](https://ux360.design/texture-in-design/): The types of texture in design (tactile and visual, real and implied) with examples from print and digital work, and how texture changes how a design feels. - [Line in Design: Types & Examples [Infographics Included]](https://ux360.design/line-in-design/): The types of line in design (horizontal, vertical, diagonal, curved, implied) and what each communicates, with examples from art, logos and interfaces. - [Gestalt Principle: Closure (how our brains fill in the missing visual gaps & how to use Closure in designs)](https://ux360.design/closure-design/): The law of closure: why the brain completes missing shapes. Examples from famous logos and interfaces, and how to use closure deliberately in your designs. - [Gestalt Principle: Similarity (Associating relatedness from shape, size, color & orientation)](https://ux360.design/similarity-design-principle/): The law of similarity: elements that share shape, size, color or orientation are seen as related. How it differs from proximity, with examples from real interfaces. - [7 Gestalt Principles of Design [Infographics Included]](https://ux360.design/gestalt-principles-design/): Similarity, continuation, closure, proximity, figure-ground, symmetry and common fate, each explained with interface examples. Free cheat sheet PDF included. - [Gestalt Principle: Symmetry (How we bring balance to Compositions)](https://ux360.design/symmetry-design-principle/): The Gestalt law of symmetry explains why balanced compositions feel stable. What it is, how symmetry and asymmetry create balance, and examples from real designs. - [Wabi-sabi: Exploring the Design Principle of Imperfection](https://ux360.design/wabi-sabi-design/): In this article, we are going to explore a different philosophy where we achieve aesthetic balance in our designs through imperfections: wabi-sabi. - [Legibility vs Readability: What distinguishes them?](https://ux360.design/legibility-vs-readability/): Legibility is whether you can recognise letters. Readability is whether you want to keep reading. What each means, what affects it, and how to improve both. - [The 7 Elements of Design and Art [Infographics Included]](https://ux360.design/elements-of-design/): The 7 elements of design are point, line, shape, form, space, color and texture. Each one explained with real interfaces, plus a free printable infographic PDF. - [The 11 Principles of Design and Art [Infographics Included]](https://ux360.design/principles-of-design-and-art/): Repetition, rhythm, movement, balance, proportion, white space, contrast, emphasis, hierarchy, variety and unity. Each principle explained with real examples and a free PDF. ## User Experience What UX actually involves. Research, personas, journeys, usability, psychology, and the mindset that separates UX from UI. - [Gestalt Principle: Continuation (Visual Perception of Continuous Flows & Paths)](https://ux360.design/continuation-design-principle/): The law of continuation explains why the eye follows lines, curves and paths. What it is, how it differs from similarity, and how designers use it in layouts. - [False-Consensus Effect: Why & How should it be Avoided?](https://ux360.design/false-consensus-ux/): In this article, we will discuss why the false-consensus effect is bad for UX designers and what are the ways we can avoid the effect. - [Anchoring Bias: How it affects us & Why is it Important?](https://ux360.design/anchoring-bias-ux/): In this article we will discuss how anchoring bias affects our decisions and why is it important for marketers and designers. - [The Bandwagon Effect: Why is it Bad & How to avoid it](https://ux360.design/bandwagon-effect-ux/): In this article, we will discuss the bandwagon effect, how to avoid it and its effect on social media. The Bandwagon effect is a type of cognitive bias. - [Selection Bias: Its Types & How to Avoid it [With Infographic]](https://ux360.design/selection-bias-ux/): In this article we will discuss the types of selection bias and the ways to avoid it. Selection bias is a type of cognitive bias where... - [Confirmation Bias: Examples & How to Avoid it](https://ux360.design/confirmation-bias-ux/): Bias towards information that supports previous beliefs or experiences. Learn to avoid the confirmation bias for rational thinking. - [Recognition Over Recall: Examples on how we can leverage memory in interface design](https://ux360.design/recognition-over-recall/): In this article, we will learn about the differences between recall memory vs recognition memory with the help of examples. - [Types of Cognitive Bias for UX Designers and Marketers](https://ux360.design/cognitive-bias-ux/): Here are the 7 types of biases every UX designers and marketers should know about. All of these biases can be used to our advantage. - [Conformity Bias: How Marketers use Social Trends to their Advantage](https://ux360.design/conformity-bias-ux/): We change our behavior according to what is socially accepted at the moment. Here, we will go into detail how marketers use conformity bias. - [Framing Effect: Influencing Decision Making in Product Design & Marketing](https://ux360.design/framing-effect-ux/): In this article, we are going to look at one of the cognitive biases: framing and how we can frame content to influence decision making. - [Gestalt Principle: Figure-ground Relationship (Differentiating Elements by Perception of Subject & Background)](https://ux360.design/figure-ground-relationship-design/): Figure-ground is how we separate a subject from its background. What it is, ambiguous examples like Rubin's vase, and how designers use it in logos and UI. - [Chunking Psychology: Breaking Down Information to make Clearer Content](https://ux360.design/chunking-psychology-design/): Chunking breaks information into memorable groups. Where the idea comes from, why 7 plus or minus 2 is misread, and how to chunk content in interfaces. - [Gestalt Principle: Proximity (Associating relatedness through placement)](https://ux360.design/proximity-design/): The law of proximity: things placed close together are read as a group. Proximity vs similarity, and how spacing alone can organise a layout. Examples included. - [Uncanny Valley: Why we feel uncomfortable with realistic human-like artificial forms?](https://ux360.design/uncanny-valley-design/): Some of us may look back at some old-school video games we played as kids, and wonder how nice it might have been had they possessed more realistic graphics,… - [Gestalt Principle: Common Fate (Using Coordinated Motion in Design to Associate Relations)](https://ux360.design/common-fate-design/): The law of common fate says elements moving together are perceived as a group. What it is and how motion, animation and interaction design put it to work. - [Alignment Principle in Design: Importance & Examples [Infographics]](https://ux360.design/alignment-principle-design/): Alignment is the simplest principle of good layout. The types of alignment, why edge alignment beats centering, and examples from real interfaces. Free infographic PDF. - [Affordance in Interaction Design: Examples and UX Implementation](https://ux360.design/affordance-in-design/): The objects we encounter in daily life (and in UI design) all have different properties and characteristics. In this section, we will learn how to use these… - [Design for Accessibility: Meaningful Additions to make Products Accessible](https://ux360.design/accessibility-design/): In this section, we will discuss the principle behind making products simple and easy to use: accessibility. - [Satisficing in UX: Prioritizing Satisfactory Solution over an Optimal Solution](https://ux360.design/satisficing-design/): Satisficing is a decision-making behavior where users settle for a satisfactory solution instead of a better solution which would require more effort. - [Using Pareto 80/20 Rule in UX design](https://ux360.design/80-20-rule-design/): In this article, we will discuss how 80/20 Rule occurs in real-world scenarios and how to implement them while designing our products. - [Using Cognitive Dissonance in Design: Influencing Users through Discomfort](https://ux360.design/cognitive-dissonance-design/): In this article, we will focus on how people experience cognitive dissonance and how we can use this psychological state in UX design. - [Rule of Thirds: What is it and how to use it?](https://ux360.design/rule-of-thirds-design/): In this article, we will discuss what is the rule of thirds and how to implement it in your designs and compositions. We will look at some examples. - [Cost-benefit Analysis in Design Process: Prioritization and Implementation](https://ux360.design/cost-benefit-analysis-design/): In this article, we will look into how we can analyze our product by comparing cost and benefit. We will learn more about cost-benefit analysis in design. - [Aesthetic Usability Effect: How aesthetics influence us?](https://ux360.design/aesthetic-usability-effect/): In this article, we will discuss how aesthetics influences our perception of a product. We will dive deeper into what aesthetic effect usability is. ## Case Studies Real product design work taken apart: the problem, the decisions, and what happened. - [Neue: An Online Clothing Store for Blind People [Case Study]](https://ux360.design/case-study-neue/): Project Overview The product: Neue is an online clothing store specifically focused on making purchases convenient for blind people. The app is designed… - [Flora: An Online Flower Shop [Case Study]](https://ux360.design/case-study-flora/): Project Overview The product: Flora is an online flower shop based in San Fransico, California that also ships its products to the UK. The app is designed… - [Nutri App for Automated Nutrition Value[Case Study]](https://ux360.design/case-study-nutri/): Project Overview The product: Nutri is a recipe nutrition calculator app developed for a luxury restaurant called Cape’s Banquet located in the tourist area… ## Tools and Kits Design tools compared and explained. Figma, Sketch, alternatives for Windows, and the resources worth bookmarking. - [Best Sketch alternative for Windows PC](https://ux360.design/sketch-alternative-for-windows/): If you are looking for the best windows sketch alternative then Figma is your best bet. We recommend Figma because it supports Sketch import. - [Best Figma Resources websites](https://ux360.design/figma-resources/): If you are using Figma, we put together a list of resource sites that will help you with your next work. These are the best sources for Figma resources. - [Figma vs Sketch: Which is the ultimate UI Tool?](https://ux360.design/figma-vs-sketch/): In this article, we will be doing a Figma vs Sketch comparison to debate on which of the options is more viable for you with rating based on their features. - [Best UX Design Tools for UX/UI Designers [2020]](https://ux360.design/best-ui-ux-tools/): Looking to optimize your workflow with the best UX design tools around? Find out which tools works best with your UI worklow. ## Long Reads Deeper essays on design thinking, careers, and the craft. - [How I redesigned my company website in 2 hours and you can too.](https://ux360.design/parewalabs-website-redesign/): A couple of weeks ago, my company, Parewa Labs, released a new look for our website. The website portrays our journey into being a values-oriented product… ## Design Inspirations Interfaces and ideas worth studying, with notes on why they work. - [Top 10 mobile interaction design inspirations (2019)](https://ux360.design/interaction-design-inspirations/): Handpicked mobile UI interaction design inspirations for you. We collected the best interactive designs for mobile by well-trained designers. - [Top 10 web design inspirations (2019)](https://ux360.design/web-design-inspirations/): Handpicked web designs inspirations for you. We compiled the best web designs by skillful designers for your inspiration. - [Top 10 mobile design inspirations (2019)](https://ux360.design/mobile-design-inspirations/): Handpicked mobile UI design inspirations for you. We collected the best mobile UI designs inspirations created by the finest designers around. ## Tutorials Step-by-step walkthroughs of design techniques and tools. - [6 Reasons to Start Usability Testing and (8 easy steps to do it)](https://ux360.design/usability-testing/): The definitive guide for usabilty testing. In this article, we will explore various steps to perform usability testing, its advantages and alternatives. ## Sketch Tips and workflows for Sketch. - [How to mirror your design in Sketch?](https://ux360.design/mirror-sketch-design/): In this article, we will go through a workaround to mirror sketch designs and artboards on multiple devices in real time and also explore alternatives. ## Optional - [About the author](https://ux360.design/about-us/) - [Free infographic PDFs](https://ux360.design/tools/) - [RSS feed](https://ux360.design/rss.xml) - [Sitemap](https://ux360.design/sitemap-index.xml)