Patterns in user experience design are utilized to create a consistent and intuitive experience for users. They provide structure and visual cues that help users understand how to interact with the product.

Some common patterns in user experience design include navigation, search, filtering, layout, and feedback. Throughout this blog, I will highlight each of those common patterns and explain how they contribute to the user experience. Let’s get started.

Navigation

Navigation is used to help users move around the product or website. It typically consists of menus, tabs, submenus, and other buttons that allow users to access different pages or content.

One example of a navigation pattern is the hamburger menu. This pattern consists of a button that is composed of three stacked horizontal lines, which when clicked, reveals a list of navigational links. The hamburger menu pattern is used to hide a website’s primary navigation when the user is viewing the page on a smaller screen, such as a mobile device. This allows the user to easily access the navigation without taking up too much space on the screen.

Search

Search pattern helps users find what they’re looking for. It typically consists of a search bar, filters, and other tools that allow users to narrow down their search results.

A search pattern in user experience design is a standard or common way of organizing and presenting data to users. An example of a search pattern is a search bar, which allows users to type in a query to find relevant information.

Filtering

Filtering helps users narrow down their search results. It typically consists of drop-down menus, checkboxes, and other tools that allow users to quickly find what they’re looking for.

A filter pattern in user experience design simplifies the process of finding a desired item or information. An example of a filter pattern is faceted search. This enables users to filter their search results by a variety of criteria, such as category, price, location, size, color, and more. This enables users to quickly and easily find the product or information they are searching for.

Layout

Layout is used to structure the content on the page. It typically consists of grids, columns, and other visual cues that help users understand how the content is organized. One example of a layout pattern in user experience design is the card layout. This pattern includes a grid of cards that represent individual pieces of content. Each card may contain an image, headline, brief description, and a link to access the full content. The layout pattern is used on a variety of websites, including news sites, e-commerce stores, and social networks.

Feedback

Feedback is used to provide users with information about their actions. Messages, notifications, and other tools are commonly used to provide users with feedback on their actions.

An example of a feedback pattern in user experience design is a progress bar. A progress bar is typically used to show the progress of a task or operation. It can help the user understand how long the process will take, and where they are in the process, and provide a sense of accomplishment when the task is completed.

Conclusion

The five patterns discussed are just a few examples of the many patterns that can be utilized in user experience design. Using patterns allows designers to create intuitive and consistent experiences that make users feel comfortable and confident while using a product. Patterns allow designers to enhance the user experience and ultimately drive the success of their products.

For more content on design, check out another blog from Keyhole’s Rus Anderson, “What Is User Experience Design?”