Users spend most of their time on other sites, and they prefer your site to work the same way as all the other sites they already know.
As someone learning about Jakob’s Law, it offers some valuable insights that I can see applying directly to both my design work and understanding of user behaviour. At first, I was surprised by how much we, as users, rely on the familiarity of other platforms to guide our expectations. It's something I never consciously noticed when using websites or apps, but now that I’m learning about it, it’s clear that consistency is key to making a user feel comfortable and confident when interacting with a design.
Reflecting on Jakob's Law, I realise how easy it can be to overlook the importance of sticking to familiar conventions. As a student trying to create original designs, there’s a temptation to be too creative, trying to make something that looks "new" and "innovative." But Jakob's Law helps me understand that innovation shouldn't come at the cost of usability. If a user has to spend time figuring out how to navigate an interface, it could disrupt their experience, no matter how beautiful or "creative" the design may seem.
What really stood out to me was the idea that users bring their prior experiences with them when using a new interface. It made me think about all the apps I use regularly and how certain design patterns have become second nature to me—whether it’s swiping to go back on an app or how search bars are often placed at the top. If I’m designing for users, I need to consider that they expect similar, streamlined experiences from new platforms.
Overall, Jakob’s Law has helped me gain a deeper appreciation for balance in design. While creativity is essential, it’s the familiarity of design patterns that makes technology approachable and intuitive. This is something I plan to focus on more as I continue developing my skills, ensuring that my designs prioritise user comfort and ease of use over purely aesthetic originality.
I found this case study explaining mental models really useful to and I thought it would fit in perfectly with this page as it relates to Jakob’s Law.