What is Hick’s Law?
Hick’s Law, also known as the Hick-Hyman Law, states that the more choices a person has, the longer it takes them to decide. It’s summarized by the formula:
RT = a + b log2(n)
Where RT is reaction time and n is the number of options.
This is where it gets into the relevance to UX
Applying minimalism in design results in low cognitive load, clear decision and improved user satisfaction levels. They guarantee that the users of a product will be in a position to use it with little or no difficulty.
Applications of Hick’s Law in UX Design
⏱️ Reduce Options for Time-Critical Tasks
Applying minimalism in design results in low cognitive load, clear decision and improved user satisfaction levels. They guarantee that the users of a product will be in a position to use it with little or no difficulty.
🛠️ Break Down Complexity
Break bigger processes into smaller steps and use them as checklists to help the users transition from step to step without confusion.
⭐ Highlight Recommended Options
Identify key or choice actions and enable them to be easily recognizable to users in a shorter time.
Example
📂 Collapsing Menus
Secondary options should be placed behind a menu bar so that users don’t get overwhelmed or distracted.
🚶Step-by-Step Onboarding
Make changes in gradual manner to allow users understand the aspect in question without feeling that the program is overwhelming them.
📈 Business Benefits
🤝 Increased Engagement
Less complex interfaces make users engaged and interested.
💵 Higher Conversions
Clear and concise frameworks enable quicker actions as well as improved outcomes because they are easy to understand.
🚪Reduced Abandonment
Simplified experiences reduce the levels of frustration hence making the audiences continue using the interfaces.
Applying Hick’s Law to your application or website, you will be able to design interfaces that will be a real help to your users as well as profitable for your business by turning the users into customers.