WCAG provides guidance for making interactive elements more accessible by specifying minimum size requirements. In this article, Eric Bailey discusses the nuances of interactive element sizes and clarifies what it looks like to provide accessible interactive experiences using WCAG-compliant target sizes. https://smashingmagazine.com/2024/07/getting-bottom-minimum-wcag-conformant-interactive-element-size/
This in-depth guide takes you through the three crucial phases of conversational search, revealing how users express their needs, explore results, and refine their queries. Learn how AI agents can overcome communication barriers, personalize the search experience, and adapt to evolving user intent. https://smashingmagazine.com/2024/07/how-design-effective-conversational-ai-experiences-guide/
Today, UX design contributes to the problem of excessive consumption through persuasive e-commerce practices and designing for companies with linear and exploitative business models. Anna Rátkai explores practical steps we can take to reduce material consumption and the massive environmental impact that comes along with it by designing mindful shopping experiences. https://smashingmagazine.com/2024/07/designing-sustainable-e-commerce-experiences/
Visualize the user experience with user journey maps. Here are some helpful templates, real-world applications, and insights on the importance of mapping both successful and unsuccessful touchpoints. Part of Smart Interface Design Patterns by yours truly. https://smashingmagazine.com/2024/07/customer-journey-maps-figma-miro-templates/
Let’s welcome the new month with some fresh desktop wallpapers! Created by artists and designers from across the globe, they come in versions with and without a calendar for July 2024. Enjoy! https://smashingmagazine.com/2024/06/desktop-wallpaper-calendars-july-2024/
Interface copy plays a crucial role in the overall user experience, helping guide users smoothly, allowing them to navigate easily through the app, discover and start using product features, and more. In this article, you’ll find simple, practical tips and a checklist to help you create a clear and concise microcopy, ensuring a seamless user experience. https://smashingmagazine.com/2024/06/how-improve-microcopy-ux-writing-tips-non-ux-writers/
Gaining buy-in for accessibility can be challenging due to common myths and misunderstandings. For many, accessibility remains a big mystery. Here are some practical techniques for winning stakeholder support and making accessibility relatable by bringing accessibility testing to your company. Part of Smart Interface Design Patterns by yours truly. https://smashingmagazine.com/2024/06/how-make-strong-case-accessibility/
The biggest mistake you can make in UX design is to launch a website or app and then walk away. Monitoring and improving after launch will benefit users and your metrics. Nothing will bring bigger gains. https://smashingmagazine.com/2024/06/website-improvement-after-launch/
Balancing the age-old simplicity of words on paper with the myriad creative possibilities of the web is a tension as old as the web itself. Leaning into that overlap can bring new dimensions not just to the things we write but also to how we write them. https://smashingmagazine.com/2024/06/mdx-or-how-i-learned-love-multimedia-writing/
Have you heard of the Screen Orientation API? What about the Device Orientation API, Vibration API, or the Contact Picker API? Juan Diego Rodriguez is interested in these under-the-radar web features and discusses how they can be used to create more usable and robust progressive web apps if and when they gain broader support. https://smashingmagazine.com/2024/06/uniting-web-native-apps-unknown-javascript-apis/