Key User Experience (UX) Concepts: Periodic Table Visual Guide

Written by Coursera • Updated on

Learn user experience (UX) with the periodic table guide. Discover core concepts, advanced techniques, and essential skills quickly.

Periodic Table of UX Principles

Explore UX design principles structured as a periodic table. This visual tool categorizes and organizes the fundamental aspects of user experience design into an easily navigable format, making it accessible for designers of all skill levels. Whether you're a novice learning the basics of user-centered design, a professional deepening your expertise in creating seamless user interfaces, or a tech enthusiast curious about design's impact on user behavior, this periodic table will guide you through each principle with clarity. Explore topics from usability and accessibility to interaction design and emotional impact to see how these elements integrate to enhance overall user satisfaction and engagement.

UX Foundations

Start with UX Principles (UX) to understand the guidelines influencing effective design. Explore User Research (UR) to learn techniques for gathering insights about user needs and behaviors, and study Information Architecture (IA) to organize content logically and intuitively.

Design & Prototyping

The Design & Prototyping section transforms user research and architectural plans into interactive designs. Interaction Design (ID) emphasizes creating interfaces that facilitate intuitive user interaction. Visual Design (VD) applies aesthetic and functional design principles to improve usability and appeal. Prototyping (PT), including wireframing, allows designers to create early product versions to test and refine layouts and user flows. Wireframing (WF) outlines the structure, layout, and element placement before detailed design work begins, ensuring alignment with user needs and expectations.

Read more: What Is a Prototype?

User Testing & Feedback

In the User Testing & Feedback category, learn to conduct Usability Testing (UT) to evaluate design effectiveness, use User Feedback (UF) to make informed decisions based on actual user interactions, and implement A/B Testing (AB) to compare design versions and determine which performs better.

Read more: What Is Usability Testing?

Accessibility & Inclusion

Explore Accessibility (AC) to ensure designs are usable by people with diverse physical and cognitive abilities. Learn about Inclusive Design (IN) principles that advocate for product usability by as many people as possible and Internationalization (IL) to adapt designs to different cultural and language considerations.

Content Strategy

In the Content Strategy section, focus on Content Development (CD) to craft clear messages, Content Management (CM) to organize and structure content effectively, and understand SEO Best Practices (SE) to optimize content for better search engine visibility.

Analysis & Optimization

The Analysis & Optimization category covers measuring and enhancing the user experience. Engage with UX Metrics (UM) to track user satisfaction and engagement, using these insights to make informed improvements. Performance Analysis (PA) assesses the effectiveness of designs in achieving business goals. Conversion Rate Optimization (CR) analyzes user behaviors to increase the percentage of users who complete desired actions on a website or application.

Read more: What Is Conversion Rate?

This guide helps you develop your knowledge and skills in user experience design. By understanding and applying these principles, you'll be equipped to address UX design challenges and create user-friendly interfaces. Explore user experience design courses.

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