What is an intuitive design (ID)?
An intuitive design is one that feels just right to the user. It is easy to use and efficient as well as readable. It also gives you a sense of security. For instance, the top websites are simple to use and deliver results that are as expected. If a website does not meet these expectations users will immediately start to find a website that is able to meet their expectations.
It takes a team to design intuitive products. Product designers, UX designers and product managers must collaborate to create products that are compatible with the users’ mental model of the way the product should function. This isn’t an easy task. Different people have different mental models based on age, experience with a product, knowledge and beliefs, and concentration level.
When designing the product it is crucial to include usability testing a part of the overall design. This will help you identify elements of the design that are not in alignment with the mental model of the user. They can also fix them prior to releasing the product.
In order to design an intuitive product, the design must always match the function. However it is equally important to engage the user from the beginning of the design process. For instance, asking the product owner what they want to do with the product and what they would like to achieve to achieve that goal is a great first step. This information should be given to the UX designer who will incorporate it in the product UI.