Tesler’s law, also known as the law of conservation of complexity, states that for any system there is a certain amount of complexity that cannot be reduced.

download.png

Chapter 9 of Laws of UX on Tesler’s Law was another concept I found very interesting. Tesler’s Law states that every system has a certain amount of inherent complexity that cannot be removed—it can only be shifted around. This really made me think about the responsibility we have as designers to manage that complexity thoughtfully.

Personally, I believe we should always strive to make things as simple as possible for the user. Users shouldn't have to struggle to complete tasks or navigate an interface. If there’s complexity involved, it should be handled behind the scenes by the designers and developers. This approach not only creates better experiences but also shows respect for users' time and effort.

The chapter made me realise that simplifying an experience isn’t about dumbing things down—it’s about doing the harder work ourselves to make the path clear and intuitive. Designers and developers need to constantly learn, adapt, and refine their skills to meet these challenges. New ideas and technologies will always emerge, and it’s our role to bridge the gap between complexity and usability.

Tesler’s Law has reinforced my belief that great UX design isn't about hiding complexity completely, but about managing it intelligently. I’m excited to carry this mindset into my future projects, always aiming to create designs that feel effortless for the user, even if it means putting in extra effort on the design and development side.