Design

Today, let’s chat about something that’s been on my mind lately – moving beyond the stark contrast of pure white (#FFFFFF) and pure black (#000000) in our UI/UX designs. Don’t get me wrong, these classics have their place, but there’s a whole world of subtle shades waiting to elevate our work!

You know that feeling when you’re scrolling through an app late at night, and the bright white background feels like it’s burning your retinas? Yeah, we’ve all been there. That’s why I’ve been experimenting with softer alternatives, and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned!

For those crisp, clean backgrounds we love, instead of pure white, try these on for size: • Snow (#FFFAFA) • Ghost White (#F8F8FF) • Ivory (#FFFFF0)

These shades offer a softer look that’s easier on the eyes while still maintaining that fresh, clean feel we’re after.

Now, for text and dark UI elements, pure black can sometimes feel a bit harsh. Check out these alternatives: • Jet (#2A2A2A) • Charcoal Gray (#121212) • Rich Black (#0A0A0A)

These options provide depth and sophistication without the intensity of pure black.

But why does this matter? Well, it’s not just about aesthetics (though that’s important too!). Using softer shades can:

1. Reduce eye strain for users
2. Create a more inviting interface
3. Add a touch of personality to your designs
4. Improve readability, especially for longer text

Plus, let’s talk about accessibility. Slightly off-white backgrounds with near-black text can actually improve contrast ratios, making your content more readable for users with visual impairments.

So, next time you’re working on a project, why not play around with these shades? You might be surprised at how a small tweak can make a big difference in the overall feel of your design.

Remember, design is all about experimentation and finding what works best for your users. Don’t be afraid to step out of the black-and-white box and explore the beautiful world of color nuances!

When a tech luminary like Marques Brownlee, aka MKBHD, announces an app, expectations naturally soar. Known for his meticulous reviews and a keen eye for detail, MKBHD’s foray into app development with “Panels” promised a curated wallpaper marketplace featuring artist-approved backgrounds. However, upon release, the app left much to be desired. Enter Juxtopposed, a talented UI/UX designer who not only critiqued the Panels app but also offered a comprehensive redesign that transformed it from a clunky experience into a seamless delight.

First Impressions Matter: The Website Fumble

Our journey begins with the Panels website—the digital handshake between brand and user. One would anticipate a site mirroring MKBHD’s signature polish, yet it felt more like a hastily assembled draft. The layout lacked hierarchy; headings blurred into paragraphs, and navigation links led to dead ends. The site’s heavy load impeded smooth scrolling, especially on slower connections. It was an unexpected stumble from someone renowned for high production values.

The Onboarding Hurdle: A Clunky Setup Process

Upon downloading the app, users were immediately met with friction. The setup process asked users to select five artists from a list of fourteen to personalize their feed. The catch? There was no way to preview the artists’ work or learn about their styles. It was akin to choosing a book without seeing the cover or reading a synopsis. For an app centered around personalization and aesthetic appeal, this blind selection process was a glaring oversight.

Navigating the Labyrinth: Core Sections Misfire

Panels is divided into three main sections: Home, Explore, and Account. In theory, this straightforward structure should simplify navigation. In practice, it fell flat. The Home page, supposedly tailored with personalized suggestions, appeared barren and disjointed, with favorites and purchases awkwardly positioned. The Explore section, the heart of any discovery-based app, was hampered by design flaws—a tiny, almost invisible search button and inconsistent iconography with mismatched styles and border thicknesses. These inconsistencies detracted from the user experience, making the app feel unfinished.

Sticker Shock: A Misjudged Monetization Strategy

Perhaps the most significant point of contention was the app’s pricing model. Charging $12 a month or $50 a year for wallpaper access (even after adjusting prices due to backlash) seemed excessive, especially when compared to subscriptions for content-rich platforms like Netflix or Spotify. The app also incorporated ads and tracked personal data—surprising choices for a wallpaper app. Users felt locked out of meaningful engagement unless they paid a premium, which seemed out of step with the value offered.

Functional Flaws: Limited Customization and Search Capabilities

Beyond aesthetics and pricing, Panels suffered from functional limitations. Users couldn’t choose whether to apply wallpapers to their home screen, lock screen, or both—a standard feature in most wallpaper apps. The search functionality was restrictive; initiating a new search required abandoning existing filters, and there were no options to sort results by relevance or popularity. For an app predicated on personalization and discovery, these shortcomings hindered user engagement.

The Redesign Revelation: Juxtopposed’s Masterclass in UI/UX

Recognizing these issues, Juxtopposed embarked on a mission to reimagine Panels. Her approach was meticulous, addressing both macro and micro design elements. She proposed a more intuitive onboarding process, allowing users to preview artists’ work or select wallpapers based on themes and moods. The navigation was overhauled for clarity, with consistent iconography and accessible search functionality.

Juxtopposed also tackled the monetization model, suggesting a balance between free content and premium offerings. Instead of a steep subscription fee, she proposed a freemium model with optional in-app purchases, making the app more inviting to new users while still generating revenue.

One of her most innovative ideas was transforming Panels into a community-driven platform. By allowing users to create profiles and share their own wallpapers, the app could evolve into a social hub for design enthusiasts—a space reminiscent of OnePlus’s community approach. This not only enhances user engagement but also leverages MKBHD’s extensive follower base, fostering a sense of inclusivity and collaboration.

A Path Forward: Embracing Feedback and Iteration

The Panels app, in its original form, felt more like a promising beta than a finished product. However, with constructive feedback and thoughtful redesigns like those from Juxtopposed, there’s immense potential for growth. By prioritizing user experience, consistency, and fair pricing, Panels can align more closely with the high standards associated with MKBHD’s brand.

In the ever-evolving landscape of app development, listening to the community and embracing iterative design are key. Panels has the foundation of a great app—it just needs refinement. With designers like Juxtopposed illuminating the path forward, the app can transform from a polarizing release into a celebrated tool that resonates with users and upholds the quality we’ve come to expect from Marques Brownlee.

Why It’s Time to Evolve from UX to HX in Design

In the vast realm of technology and design, one term has reigned supreme for decades: User Experience (UX). It’s been the cornerstone of how companies approach the creation of products and services, focusing on usability, efficiency, and functionality. But as technology becomes ever more entwined with the fabric of our daily lives, isn’t it time we reconsidered this terminology? Should we not, perhaps, usher in a new era—one that centers on People Experience (PX) or Human Experience (HX)?

The Limitations of “User”

The word “user” has its roots in the early days of computing, a practical label for those interfacing with machines. It was a term born out of necessity, impersonal by design, meant to categorize without personalization. However, this term carries unintended connotations. In some contexts, a “user” is someone who exploits or consumes, sometimes without giving back—a notion far from the reciprocal relationship we hope to foster between people and technology.

Moreover, “user” is a reductive label. It strips away individuality and reduces people to mere operators of systems or consumers of content. It overlooks the richness of human emotion, the diversity of experiences, and the complexity of needs that individuals bring when interacting with technology.

From Functionality to Humanity

Transitioning to Human Experience (HX) is not just a semantic shift; it’s a paradigm change in how we conceptualize and design interactions. HX acknowledges that people are not just end-users but are humans with emotions, stories, and contexts that influence how they engage with technology.

By embracing HX, designers and companies commit to:

• Empathy-Centered Design: Prioritizing understanding of human emotions, needs, and desires.
• Inclusivity and Accessibility: Recognizing and addressing the diverse abilities and backgrounds of people.
• Ethical Responsibility: Considering the broader impact of technology on individuals and society.
• Meaningful Engagement: Creating experiences that enrich lives rather than simply facilitating tasks.

The Power of Language in Design

Language shapes our perceptions and interactions. When we refer to people as “users,” we may unconsciously adopt a narrow focus, optimizing for clicks, views, or other metrics that quantify engagement but don’t qualify satisfaction or well-being. By shifting to “people” or “humans,” we remind ourselves that we’re designing for real individuals with complex lives.

This linguistic shift encourages designers to:

• Ask Deeper Questions: How does this product make someone feel? Does it add value to their life?
• Design Holistically: Consider the emotional and psychological aspects of interaction, not just the functional ones.
• Build Trust: Foster genuine connections through transparency and respect for the individual’s autonomy.

Real-World Impact

Companies that have adopted a human-centered approach often see profound benefits. Products become more intuitive, customer satisfaction increases, and brand loyalty deepens. For instance:

• Healthcare Apps: By focusing on HX, apps can provide not just data tracking but also emotional support, understanding the anxieties that come with health issues.
• Financial Services: HX-driven platforms can demystify complex processes, making financial literacy accessible and reducing stress associated with money management.
• Social Media: Platforms that prioritize HX can promote healthier interactions, mitigating issues like cyberbullying and promoting authentic connections.

The Future is Human

As we stand on the cusp of advances in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and beyond, the importance of designing with a human focus becomes ever more critical. Technology has the power to amplify our humanity, but only if we consciously design it to do so.

By rebranding UX as Human Experience (HX) or People Experience (PX), we signal a commitment to this philosophy. It’s an acknowledgment that technology should serve humanity, not the other way around.

Conclusion

The evolution from User Experience to Human Experience is more than a change in terminology—it’s a call to action. It’s an invitation for designers, developers, and companies to reconnect with the very people they serve. By placing humans at the heart of design, we not only create better products but also contribute to a more empathetic and connected world.

It’s time to bid farewell to the “user” and embrace the richness of the human experience. After all, technology should not just be usable—it should be meaningful.