UI redesign - most often a waste of time

As a preface, I note that I mainly work on the backend and prefer the corresponding code. I have been involved in web development and software development for more than four years and have worked with many front-end and server frameworks.


New Twitter interface

Before all the UI designers get into me, let me just say that I appreciate the design . At a minimum, a product or website should be easy to use , and if you have a good eye and a strong hand , then you will surely create something pleasant in appearance. Just stop doing it all the time.


David (Michelangelo)
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Redesigning the UI, in my opinion, is a waste of time in 95% of cases. Let me explain.

Nobody cares

Look at our fresh design ! And what about material design , come see! Sorry, but apart from fixing the UI, where it affects the usability of your application, no one is crazy about how the redesign improves the application.

People use the application because of its functionality, and not because it looks nice.

You go to Google Maps not because it looks beautiful, but because it shows where to find delicious tacos. You use Facebook not because of a good UI, but to chat with friends and share photos. You go to the gamestop games store not because you like the flow of advertisements and the intricate navigation through the chaotic drop-down menus, but to buy Anthem .


A little too, not?

The user interface should only be updated if it affects the user's ability to actually use your application.

If you find that users cannot go to page x, because it’s hidden in the menu, be sure to move the link. Call the page. Move the exit button so that it makes sense to everyone. Publish forms in a clear form. This is not a redesign, but just a good design that should reflect the needs of the business and your users.

A blow to the permanent audience

I hate re-learning the new interface. Especially when the redesign becomes too ambitious. It is necessary to understand that each alteration of UI requires additional efforts to understand where what has been updated.

Regular users do not like change. When they learn something, they like to work on autopilot, so much easier. The more you change, the more effort is required to master the new product.


New design of the Harris Internet portal from BMO

No, this is not my true balance, I'm not rich.

Please stop changing everything, stop loading us with extra work, forcing us to re-examine the applications that we love.

This is dust in the eyes

The management loves to hear that you have made “big changes” in this “fresh new look”: like Charlie Bucket with his golden ticket to the Willy Wonka chocolate factory.


My golden ticket to Willy Wonka factory

Especially if you have a public company and investors eager to multiply their investments. There is a certain pressure on progress, moving forward - and an easy way to do this with the word “redesign”. Everyone likes to hear about this great new design that you rolled out: better marketing, a sleeker logo, a simpler interface ... All these phrases bring more praise and thoughts about profit.

Is there really a real benefit, or do you just want to occupy designers with something?

Is there any concrete evidence that the redesign will benefit the company or users? Or do we just want to redo the UI? Think about it for a moment.

He encourages the worst side of our nature.

We are already dependent on these bursts of dopamine, on something new. Is another redesign really necessary, or is this a temporary solution until we again move on to something else?

Sometimes opportunity! = Necessity.

Maybe you should think again about these endless redesigns - and spend time on something more rewarding. For example, to reduce technical debt.

Comments

What do you think about that? It would be interesting to know the opinions of both parties.