I am learning to swim 🙂 I was trying to swim 10 years back too.

But this time it is easier and I have managed to make significant progress. I am doing it by my own. No tutors or classes. So as I am gleaming in my self proclaimed achievement, I wondered why this time the experience was so rewarding and here are my notes –

1. I wanted to learn for my own sake
2. I practised the patterns
3. I create my own template for the pattern.
4. I tested what I have learned and practised so far.
5. I updated my templates as I was live testing.

Viola ! I know to swim.

This may sound like an agile spirit rather my swimming lesson. But that what it is! Apart from being my passion and my source of bread UX is now teaching how to learn new tricks 🙂

The important distinguishing factor is that the user is motivated. Learning – UX can move mountains if they are motivated.

The second would be – I worked on the swimming patterns to the limit of creating a memory for my hand and leg muscles. And when the muscle memory was strong there was no friction in learning. Learning – Muscle memory rules. UX patterns should leverage this memory.

Most of the times while working on design projects, the client insists on creating a new design just for the sake of being a path breaker. This causes friction for the users trying to explore it. Seamless experience is the most important aspect of interactive design. It should  be realised that interaction patterns are just a way to achieve a goal and creating a new patterns should not be deemed as the goal.

Learning – Create a friction for the users and you will find yourself drowning if not gasping for breath!